Cornelia V., a specialist in anesthetics and intensive care, was known
to take care of seemingly hopeless cases sacrificially, and even encouraged the
seriously ill so that they regained hope. But there was an eerie quality to the
nurse’s demeanor as well. Dr. Adolf
Novotny, Senior Physician at Tuttlingen District Hospital, noted that in times of crisis, when it came to life and death,
she behaved differently from the others: "She was then upset, enthusiastic
and full of verve, flourished literally."
Dr. Novotny became suspicious of Cornelia V., due to the large number of inexplicable emergencies,
including deaths that occurred on her watch. In each of the suspect
emergencies, Cornelia V was either assigned to care for these patients or at
least was in close proximity. And in most cases, it was she who triggered an
emergency call, started the re-breathing and ultimately saved the men and
women.
One day in April 2004 the 78-year-old,
retiree Eckard D., not critically ill, has been admitted to the hospital by his
family doctor to monitor his cardiac arrhythmias. For safety he was sent to the
intensive care unit. In room six, he is connected to a monitor by Nurse
Cornelia. He has already had a venous catheter placed in front of him. Yet he
experienced an emergency attack which left him paralyzed.
It took years of investigation for
prosecutors to decide to charge Cornelia V. 2008 she was tried on multiple
charges. The trial ended after 16 days with an unexpected plea deal. Cornelia
V., who has always denied all accusations, conceded the attack on the retiree
Eckard D.
Her attorney announced to the court
that: "My client admits that she committed the crime as stated in the indictment."
The prosecutor required an affirmation from the defendant herself, thus
Cornelia V. stated for the record: "I fully agree with this statement [of
guilt] and it is my own." She was given a suspended two-year prison
sentence for dangerous bodily injury. The charges in the other cases were
temporarily closed.
Cornelia had been terminated from her
post at Tuttlingen District Hospital in 2006, but she was able to find
employment at another clinic which let her go (when they learned of her
history?). Nevertheless she still found work as a private nurse. She was again
arrested in October 2010. She remained in jail until November 4, 2011 when she
was freed after the failure of the prosecution to prove their case against her.
[Robert St. Estephe, Oct. 19, 2019]
***
CHRONOLOGY
Feb.
2004 – When a 79-year-old died after a minor gall bladder operation. after
inexplicably heavy bleeding. Heparin used?
Apr. 2008 – Eckard D. (78), cardiac
arrhythmias, not seriously ill, paralyzed. Succinyl used?
2004 – 90-year-old
patient had died from minor surgery after inexplicably heavy bleeding.
Date?
– Heinz-Dieter M., "Respiratory
arrest due to complete muscle relaxation".
Date? – Franz W., "Acute sudden
respiratory arrest".
Date? – Pia W., "Cardiovascular
arrest".
Date? – Josef G., "respiratory
arrest".
Date? – Thomas S., "respiratory
arrest".
Date? – Manfred K. (53), attacked heavy
bleeding following hip surgery; survived, Heparin found in his blood.
2006 – terminated at Tuttlinger
Klinik.
2008 – employed by another clinic,
terminated.
Dec. 2008 –
confession (later recanted).
Dec. 2008 – sentenced by the District Court
Rottweil after a trial lasting several weeks to a suspended sentence of two
years. Because of dangerous bodily injury.
Oct. 2010 – arrested
while working as a private nurse. Jailed until Nov. 4, 2011.
May 2011 – trial
at Rottweil for murder, based on investigation that was initiated during her
2008 trial.
Nov. 4, 2011 – acquitted;
insufficient evidence. Released from jail.
***
A fairly thorough case overview of
the case up to 2009:
[Bruno Schrep, “She Kills People,”
Spiegel (Germany), Apr. 11, 2009]
***
***
[131-1/16/21]
***
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