Former Orange County dentist Tony Protopappas
Arnold's decision, although RIGHT, will probably be overturned by the California Appeals Court.
Here is the report of findings:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has rejected parole for a Southern California man who killed three of his dental patients in the 1980s by administering fatal doses of a general anesthetic, the man's attorney said Thursday.The WAPO report about the narcotics is not correct since there was little or no regulation of IV conscious sedation at the time. Protopappas was using a drug cocktail of Valium, Demerol, et al. and exhibited extreme disregard for his patients leading to their death.
Schwarzenegger made the decision on Dec. 15 even though a panel of appellate court judges and a state parole board favored release for Tony Protopappas, attorney Rich Pfeiffer told the AP.
In late 1983 and early 1984, Protopappas gave fatal doses of a general anesthetic to Kim Andreassen, 23; Cathryn Jones, 31; and Patricia Craven, 13, in his Costa Mesa office.
Protopappas was using narcotics at the time and wasn't licensed to administer the drug.
Protopappas, 65, has served more than 25 years of his 15 years-to-life sentence for three counts of second-degree murder. A proposition passed by California voters in 1988 gives the governor the power to reverse parole decisions in murder cases.
Here is the report of findings:
protopsppsd
I was privileged to serve on the California Dental Association Council on Legislation shortly after the Protopappas conviction and worked on sedation legislation to better protect the people. At the time regulation of these drugs and sedation protocols were scant since the dentistry profession regulated its own - not bad actors like Tony Protopappas who abused the system and his patients.
Should Protopappas be set free on parole after killing three people?
How is this case any different from that of Susan Atkins?
Should Protopappas be set free on parole after killing three people?
How is this case any different from that of Susan Atkins?
