PFPC Daily - April 27, 2005

Lawyer Says Prozac To Blame for Triple Murder

First Coast News, April 27

By Tiani Jones

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- They don't look dangerous, but, tiny capsules are
being accused of everything from making people rob banks, to murder.

Prozac, it's competitor Paxil and other anti-depressant drugs, have
made their way through courtrooms all around the country, and now
here in Jacksonville.

"There is a subgroup of people who take this medication who have bad
reactions either suicidal or violent reactions," said Public Defender
Bill White.

White says his client Chip Carter was taking Prozac when he was
accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, her daughter and her new
boyfriend.

The case was set to go to trial next week, but, Wednesday a judge
granted a continuance in the case.

White said, "I think he analyzed the law and he did the right thing."

The judge also had to take into consideration a case taking place
just south of Jacksonville.

Leslie Demeniuk is accused of killing her 4-year-old twin sons, and
her defense team claims the drug Paxil mixed with alcohol played a
part in the murders.

"The literature is pretty extensive. The medical testimony in that
case is been going on with experts for quite some time," said White.

Prosecutors in the Carter case say their evidence is much stronger
then the little pills the defense is relying on.

"We're going to rely on the facts on the proof that we have. The
facts speak for themselves, they speak the truth," said prosecutor
Bernie De la Rionda.

SOURCE:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/