Attorney representing families in case against accused nurse speaks out

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - An East Texas nurse charged with the murder of a patient now faces more charges.

This week William Davis was indicted on three new counts of aggravated assault and capital murder of multiple persons. The alleged incidents happened while Davis was working as a nurse in the heart hospital of Christus Mother Francis hospital in Tyler.

"At first there were a lot of questions as to whether or not this was the person that did it and whether not it was just a series of unfortunate incidents, if anything at all happened," said Tyler Attorney Randy Roberts.

Roberts represents three families who are in search of answers.

"Any situation in which there were medical complications, an adverse outcome, or the patient passed away. When it occurred in this unit during that time period, is a candidate to be investigated," Roberts said.

Davis is accused of allegedly introducing air into the arterial lines of at least seven patients. Two of them died and at least two others were left in a vegetative state.

"The takeaway from the indictments is that the district attorney's office is more confident than ever that they have the right person and that they're charging him with the right crimes," Roberts said.

Roberts says the indictments could also put pressure on Davis to plead out and plead guilty, if he is in fact responsible.

"The next step in the criminal process is for the defendant to stand trial. The second step or the other step is in the civil process. And that's for the defendent as well as those responsible for him. Those who hired him, screened him, trained him, and supervised him to be held accountable if they were irresponsible in that respect," Roberts said.

Friday the hospital released a statement concerning the case. They say they appreciate the efforts by both the grand jury and Tyler police. A jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 3.

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