PFPC Daily - April 29, 2005

Possible "Paxil Defense" For Zacher

13Wham.com,Rochester, April 27, 2005

By Patrice Walsh

Attorneys representing David Zacher, a man from Greece accused of
killing two family members, are considering a a "Paxil Defense."

The attorneys, who include Rochester mayoral candidate John
Parrinello, have hired a forensic psychiatrist to examine their
client to see if the drug may have affected his behavior.

It is known that  Zacher was taking Paxil when he allegedly killed
his wife and young daughter.

Paxil is a widely prescribed antidepressant. also used to treat
anxiety and social disorders. On its Website, the drug maker warns:
"Paxil can increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some teenagers."

It also urges those taking Paxil to call their doctors if they
notice severe mood changes like mania and or impulsive or hostile
behavior.

Judy Klee has been taking Paxil for a year and said she suffers no
side effects. She says the drug has saved her life and worries
that a court case would give the drug a bad name.

"There are people like me that it is helping," Klee said. "My kids and
their friends know I take this, I don't want them thinking, 'She is
going to snap out on me.'"

There have been murder cases where the anti-depressant Prozac was
used as part of an insanity defense, although no one at the Monroe
County District Attorney's office could recall any local cases
where that happened.

Although Zacher has not threatened suicide, he has been held
under 24-hour watch in the Monroe County Jail since his arrest.

Zacher's two-year-old daughter was injured in the incident; his
7-year-old son escaped unharmed. The two are currently living with
their maternal grandparents out-of-town; they could be called as
witnesses.