One of the stories making the news here in Italy is the arrest of Daniela Poggiali, 42, a nurse who is accused of killing at least 38 of her patients because she found them or their relatives to be annoying. She was initially charged in the death of an elderly patient and now police believe that she is a serial killer.
The case of Rosa Calderoni draw attention of the authorities because she been admitted for a routine illness and when she died there were high levels of potassium in her bloodstream. At least 10 other deaths are now being listed as “very suspicious”.
Prosecutor Rossella Materia called her a sadist who “who draws pleasure in provoking the death of the patients in her care.” One picture on her phone reportedly shows her giving a thumbs up next to when of her patients who had died seconds before. The public statements are an interesting dimension since Italy prosecutes people for criminal libel, as in the abusive case against the parents of Amanda Knox that we discussed earlier. While comments against the police can bring a charge, it clearly does not apply when prosecutors make such comments against individuals.
Even a colleague described her as a “cold person who was always eager to work.” This included the allegation from a co-worker that Poggiali would give patients strong laxatives at the end of her shift to make work more difficult for the nurses taking over.
Poggiali told police that she is innocent and the victim of a conspiracy by her enemies.
The case could prove very difficult given the length of time that has passed.
Source: MSN
Is docmadison Annie, too? I can’t keep this straight anymore . . .
davidm:
I would not know a sockpuppet from a socket wrench (well, maybe I would) and had never even heard of the term until a couple of years ago. I even had to ask someone on this site to define “troll” for me. That being said, I don’t know how many people actually comment here. Although I have certain administrative access, I have never checked any commenter for any reason and will not do so. And while I do not favor anonymity, I recognize that I do not have the right to violate it.
Annie has certainly shared enough on this site to know that she is a married woman and has children. Whatever else she may be, or not be, is none of my business. I have no idea whether Paul Schulte is actually Paul Schulte or whether Nick Spinelli is actually Nick Spinelli. And I have no idea whether either of them, or anyone else, has ever commented here or elsewhere with a different identity. But I wouldn’t consider sockpuppetry grounds for involuntary commitment.
My interest in this blog remains what it was at the beginning: to read and share opinions about matters of importance, particularly of legal or constitutional importance. There is not a single person who comments here, including the host, with whom I have not disagreed from time to time, But personal attacks are something which all of us should have gotten over by mid-adolescence. We haven’t, of course, because we’re human. The only times I have ever regretted my own lack of anonymity have been on those occasions when I have realized that something I wrote was cruel, or curt or attributed motives and attitudes to people whom I have never met or universalized undesirable traits to entire groups or political parties.
I’m rambling, but I ask that we all remind ourselves that none of us has all of the answers, or even understands all of the questions, that we assume the good faith of other commenters and reply accordingly, and that the best response to irrational rants and ad hominem attacks is silence.
LOL. Now I’m going to have to resist the urge to check everyone’s URLs, whatever that means.
Mike – I am so disappointed. I thought you were a computer demi-god. My day is ruined. 🙁
Wow, I just wasted a lot of time. JT, you’re going to have to do something about this, or I can’t imagine this place winning any more awards. I certainly won’t be voting for it.
One of the problems on the government side, is the lack of a Surgeon General, the overall head of the Commissioned Corps, a 6500-member cadre of health professionals who are on call 24 hours a days, and can be dispatched by the Secretary of HHS or the Assistant Secretary for Health in the event of a public health emergency. Seems it was the President who made a nomination and one or more Republican Senators who refused to address the nomination.
It’s amazing! The one who has been throwing out insults to various unnamed commenters, has blasted many insulting jokes at our host! Let’s hope JT can now understand how it feels to be insulted, even if not named in a troll.
DBQ,
We have our little “social contract” in this blog that some seem to believe needs to be tailored to their special interests. That’s the mindset prevalent in our national culture and it is doing to this blog what it has done outside of it.
Maybe JT is running this blog as a social experiment to see if “the people” really can govern themselves. Right now we are failing miserably and in my opinion, a lack of humility is a key driver.
Elaine
You seem to think that you have ESP.
I am merely pointing out that by participating in this or any blog, we commentators have made an implicit agreement with the blog host to follow his/her rules. You, me, Paul, Annie everyone
Just as if you are invited into another person’s home, it is implied that you will abide by their household rules.
If you can’t live with those rules, then you should leave the house.
“We have often been described as a place where people can have passionate but respectful discussions. That is not for everyone. Indeed, one of the leading legal blogs expressly rejected a civility rule as boring and unnecessary. We disagree. If you find it difficult or unfulfilling to discuss issues without personal insults or foul language, please move on. Our Guest Bloggers are asked to avoid any tit-for-tat fight with trolls and critics. Likewise, most of our regulars refuse to engage in such exchanges. Please help us keep this an island of civility and mature discourse on the Internet. Address the issues and not the individuals in our debate. Be passionate but don’t let it get personal.”
Is there anyone else in this blog with enough humility to TRY and respect Professor Turley AND his rules?
DBQ,
You are chiming in to give back-up for Paul. Did Paul designate you as his second?
Welcome to the world of Lewis Carrol where Annie ‘gangs up on Nick’.
And down the rabbit hole we go…..
Well….. we never thought David was much of a scientist, anyway.
Good Lord. I hope David doesn’t think the little kid ringing his doorbell on the 31st isn’t REALLY a witch.
“Now we know! Paul made a deal with Jonathan. Very interesting.”
Everyone made an implied deal, of sorts, when they decided to participate in the blog and read the civility statement. Some of us keep the deal….others don’t.
Now we know! Paul made a deal with Jonathan. Very interesting.
Me, Dredd and The Daily Mail.
I’m glad we can help. It keeps you off the streets.
Oh my, is everybody still arguing about sock puppetry??? That in itself deserves an Irish Poem:
The Game of the Name???
An Irish Poem by Squeeky Fromm
Someone we all know, we assume,
Snidely snarked with her new nom de plume.
Then she got scorched right back
In a flame war attack,
By a sock puppeteer, who knows whom???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
SWM – when I was young I was a hippie. A real hippie, not some hippie-wannabe from the ’70s.
docmadison – JT does not allow me to make this a blood sport. That is part of our deal. You, like Dredd, are my morning amusement. Playing with you in the sandbox keeps my blood pressure down.
They sure like to bloody those libruls. Maybe when they were young they beat up the hippie kids..
swarthmoremom,
Sorry. You’ve pointed out my error. Support is the much better word. I guess Paul prefers more of a blood sport.
Docmadison,
Actually, nick is the special little snowflake on this blog. Notice how all the knights and ladies in shining armor always come to his defense…or commend him on his comments. They never have a word of criticism when he personally attacks or disparages others because they have different views on issues than he. Some people need back-up, doncha know?
Elaine – I know your attendance has been irregular of late but Nick and I have been on opposite sides of the same issue. Just as Annie and I have been on the same side of an issue. However, isn’t Gene pining away with you gone?