[News]
   
February 26, 2000 
 

Police to probe Lisa Shore's death 

Family called for investigation into Sick Kids tragedy 

By Harold Levy 
Toronto Star Staff Reporter

Toronto's homicide squad has launched an investigation into the death of 10-year-old Lisa Shore at the internationally renowned Hospital for Sick Children. 

The probe comes after a coroner's jury returned a homicide verdict on Thursday in Lisa's death, sending shock waves through the hospital. 

Doctors found Lisa dead in her hospital bed on Oct. 22, 1998, less than 12 hours after her mother brought her to the emergency ward for relief from pain caused by a non-life-threatening condition. 

The jurors heard evidence that nurses Ruth Doerksen and Anagaile Soriano neglected to access computerized doctor's orders requiring them to monitor Lisa intensively against the possibly deadly effects of the morphine she was on. 

They also learned that the hospital had failed to preserve equipment, medical records and audiotapes relating to the case. One juror accused the institution of covering up Lisa's death. 

Toronto senior Crown Attorney Paul Culver said yesterday that homicide investigators have been asked to look into ``the circumstances surrounding the verdict.'' 

``This is a very sad and very tragic situation and I certainly extend my sympathies to the family,'' Health Minister Elzabeth Witmer said yesterday. 

Asked about the family's request for a public inquiry by the province into the hospital's ``shameful cover-up,'' Witmer responded: ``Minstry of health staff are reviewing the (jury) recommendations and I have no further comment at this time.'' 

After the verdict, Shore family lawyer Frank Gomberg called for a police probe of the hospital in connection with possible criminal negligence causing death, obstruction of justice and perjury. 

Detective Sergeant Mike Davis will decide if a full criminal probe will be conducted. 

Homicide, as used by a coroner's jury - which by law cannot assess blame - is based on a neutral definition: the killing of one person by another. 

Culver noted that ``the grounds for a finding of homicide at an inquest nowhere approach the grounds needed for a murder case.'' 



With files from Michelle Shephard and Theresa Boyle
 
     
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

 
 

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