Page 2-Saturday, August 9, 1480-The Michigan Daily
Document tells
of nurse's
* *"
involvement in
mercy killing
BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - A prac- - a cancer that spread to the lungs and
tical nurse told investigators looking in- bones.
to the possible mercy killing of a 51- No autopsy was performed and
year-old cancer patient that she just Leanues was buried in St. Joseph,
wanted to stop the woman's suffering, Cemetery in Taunton.
according to hospital investigative BUT SIX DAYS after her death, Ross
documents published yesterday. / said the hospital had learned of an
"She had enough MS (morphine "initial overdose medication of a ter-
sulphate) to kill an elephant," the nurse minally ill patient" and it began the in-
was quoted as saying. "I knew I killed ternal investigation.
her the next morning." About six weeks later, District Attor-
ney Ronald Pina of New Bedford or-
THE UNIDENTIFIED nurse was in- dered Leanues' body exhumed. State
terviewed during a hospital internal in- pathologist Ambrose Keeley performed
vestigation into the death of Norma an autopsy, which showed she had no
Leanues, according to documents cancer of the lungs. The autopsy said
published by the Brockton Enterprise the cancer was confined to the woman's
in a copyright article, right hipbone, spine and a small inter-
Leanues died May 18 at Morton nal spot.
Hospital in nearby Taunton, about 30 Robert Green, a cancer specialist at
miles south of Boston. A grand jury is New England Deaconess Hospital in
investigating the death but has issued Boston, said Leanues might have lived
no report or indictments. for years with proper treatment.
Leo Allen, an assisant Bristol County IN THE published documents, the
prosecutor, said his office would have nurse was asked by Maureen Costello,
"no comment on the published report. an assistant to the hospital ad-
All of this information has influence ministrator, if she knew she was killing
and impact. It all falls into the category Launues at the time the morphine was
of a grand jury investigation." administered.
Hospital Administiator Lawrence "No, I just wanted to put an end to her
Ross confirmed that hospital personnel agony. She suffered such pain. I didn't
were questioned. by three hospital of- think of it as killing her. I mean I was
ficials after the death. Ross told the En- not trying out for 'ethanasia nurse,' "
terprise he had not read the results of the document quoted her as saying.
the interviews conducted by the thi oumnnute-e s aig
vhestav s e in- Another questioner, Lorraine Hickey,
vestigative team Leanue' death, a registered nurse, asked the uniden-
FIV DAS aterLeaues deth, tified practical nurse, "So you
the hospital had suspended four nurses delivered 45 milligrams of morphine
without pay. One was reinstated and sulphate. How did you assess her
the other three were fired. respiration status before you ad-
A hospital staff surgeon, Dr. David ministered the last dose?"
Pottier, listed on Leanues' death cer- "All the morphine was catching up
tificate "carcinoma, metastatic to with her She was dying. It was doing
lungs and bones" as the cause of death her in," the unidentified nurse said.
On the outside!
Skies should be clearing today after a chance of thunderstorms in the
morning. The high temperature will climb to the mid-80s. Q
Happenings
SATURDAY
FILMS
Ann Arbor Public Library-And Then There were None, 2:30 p.m., Main
Library, Fifth Ave. and William.
AAFC-Three Stooges, 7 p.m., Little Rascals Shorts, 8:40 p.m., Three
Stooges II, 10:20 p.m. MLB.
Cinema II-Last Tango in Paris, 7:30, 9:45 p.m., Angell Aud. A.
Cinema Guild-Rich Kids, 7:30, 9:30 p.m. Old Arch. Aud.
PERFORMANCES
Arbecoll Theatrics Dinner Theatre-"Bell, Book, and Candle," 7 p.m.,
Michigan League Ballroom, reservations required.
Michigan Repertory '80-"Of Thee I Sing," 1p.m., Power Center.
MISCELLANEOUS
Ecology Center of Ann Arbor will be closed until August 16.
11th Annual Medieval Festival-10 a.m.-10 p.m., School of Music poolside.
SUNDAY
FILMS
Cinema Guild-Nights of Cabiria, 7:30, 9:30 p.m., Old Arch. Aud.
Michigan Community Theatre Foundation-Singing in the Rain, 4 p.m.,
Michigan Theatre.
MISCELLANEOUS
Michigan Community Theatre Foundation-Fundraising Auction, 8 p.m.,
Michigan Theatre.
Huron Valley Humane Society-Pets on Parade, 2:30 p.m., South End of
Liberty near William.
11th Annual Medieval Festival, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., School of Music poolside.
MONDAY
FILMS
Michigan Community Theatre Foundation-Singing in the Rain, 5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m., Michigan Theatre.
MISCELLANEOUS
Lesbian/Gay male V.D. clinic-7-10 p.m., Univesity Health Service
Emergency Room.
The Michigan Daily
(USPS 3144-900
Volume XC, No. 57-S
Saturday, August 9, 1980
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