A French anesthesiologist, , was sentenced to life in prison for intentionally poisoning 30 patients, resulting in 12 deaths. Frédéric Péchier, 53, was convicted following a four-month trial in Besançon, France, in one of the country’s largest medical malpractice cases. He is now appealing the sentence and has enlisted new legal counsel in an attempt to secure his release.
The case against Péchier began to unfold in after a surge of unexplained cardiac arrests and other adverse events at two clinics – the Saint-Vincent clinic and the Polyclinique de Franche-Comté – in Besançon. Investigations revealed the presence of dangerous levels of chemicals, such as potassium chloride and adrenaline, in patients’ intravenous infusion bags. These substances triggered cardiac arrest or hemorrhaging, often requiring emergency intervention.
Prosecutors argued that Péchier deliberately tampered with the infusion bags, introducing the harmful chemicals. In some instances, he then intervened as the patients’ rescuer, bolstering a false narrative of competence. However, in 12 cases, his interventions were unsuccessful, leading to fatalities. The youngest victim was a four-year-old child undergoing a tonsil surgery in , who survived two cardiac arrests. The oldest was 89 years old.
The prosecution posited that Péchier’s motive stemmed from a grudge against fellow anesthesiologists. He allegedly sought to discredit them by creating a pattern of medical emergencies that would reflect poorly on their abilities. He often acted while not the primary anesthesiologist on duty, arriving early to tamper with the infusion bags and then stepping in during the resulting crises.
Péchier was first placed under investigation eight years prior to the sentencing, in , after initial suspicions arose. The number of alleged victims increased over time, reaching 32 by .
The court found Péchier guilty of 30 counts of poisoning, including 12 deaths, and sentenced him to life imprisonment on . Judge Delphine Thibierge, in a 57-page statement of reasons issued on , described Péchier as a “serial killer” who turned the clinic “into a playground” and used his medical expertise to commit these crimes.
Now, Péchier is challenging his conviction and seeking release. He has retained Me Emmanuelle Franck, a Toulouse-based lawyer known for her work on high-profile cases, including that of Cédric Jubillar, to bolster his defense. Franck will work alongside Me Randall Schwerdorffer, Péchier’s existing legal counsel. Franck stated that the defense is building a “solid defense for the appeal trial, in order to obtain the acquittal of this man.”
Franck has a background in handling complex criminal cases, including those involving alleged serial crimes and terrorism. Her involvement signals a renewed effort to challenge the evidence presented during the initial trial. The defense will likely focus on contesting the investigation’s conclusions and the validity of the first-instance sentence.
The investigation highlighted a correlation between Péchier’s presence and an increase in “serious adverse events” within the clinics. The appeal process will involve a thorough examination of these events and the evidence linking Péchier to them. The investigating chamber of the Besançon Court of Appeal will assess the arguments presented by the defense and determine whether there are grounds to overturn the conviction or grant Péchier’s release pending further proceedings.
This case raises profound questions about medical ethics, patient safety, and the potential for malicious intent within the healthcare system. The outcome of the appeal will have significant implications for the families of the victims and for the medical community in France.
