Tumbling Tumbleweeds - a Continuing Look at the Schneider Trial in Kansas

One witness testified that while being treated by Schneider she received pain narcotics such as -- methadone, Lortabs, Soma and Xanax; a combination similar to other patients who had died of drug overdoses.

Tumbleweed Dunes, Monument Valley AZ, 2000

(WICHITA, Kansas) - A former Haysville, Kansas police chief, a Wichita firefighter, a truck driver and a mother were among witnesses -- testifying on behalf of Stephen Schneider this past week during the 6th week of trial -- saying Schneider helped them overcome illnesses -- and that he was "very attentive."

Marianne Skolek

Schneider, a former Haysville doctor of osteopathic medicine, and his wife, a nurse are on trial on federal charges stemming from their practices of prescribing painkillers leading to patients deaths.

Michael Hadley, a Wichita firefighter, said Schneider helped save his daughter's life by discovering her cancer quickly and getting her treatment within days. James Kitchings, a former Haysville police chief, said he and his wife were treated at the Schneider Medical Clinic for back pain.  "Dr. Schneider always has been very attentive and down to earth," Kitchings said. "I call him cowboy-like in his approach."

"Did Dr. Schneider help you?" defense attorney Lawrence Williamson asked.

"I got rid of my back pain," Kitchings said.

On cross-examination, prosecutor Tanya Treadway indicated that most of the defense witnesses weren't on long-term pain treatment.

One witness, identified only by her first name to protect her medical privacy, said Schneider treated her for pain from cancer and from several car accidents.

"Did he tell you he'd had patients overdose?" Treadway asked.

"No," the woman said.

"Did he tell you he'd had patients die?" Treadway asked.

The woman said he didn't.

The witness testified that while being treated by Schneider she received a variety of pain narcotics such as -- methadone, Lortabs, Soma and Xanax.

It was a combination similar to other patients who had died of drug overdoses.

She commented from the witness stand -- "If you take it like your supposed to, nothing bad will happen."  Without the medicine, she said she couldn't walk down stairs. With the medication, she could attend her children's sporting events.

This article written as a voice for Darrell H age 24, died July 17, 2004.

The Series:

Jun-16-2010: Schneiders Fate in the Hands of the Jury - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

Jun-11-2010: Schneider Trial Week 7 - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

Jun-09-2010: Tumbling Tumbleweeds - a Continuing Look at the Schneider Trial in Kansas - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

May-29-2010: Schneider Trial - Week 5 - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

May-23-2010: Schneider Trial - Week 4 - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

May-16-2010: Week 3 - Stephen Schneider Trial - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

May-13-2010: American Pain Society's 29th Annual Scientific Meeting - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

May-08-2010: Week 2 of the Schneider Trial - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

May-02-2010: Week 1 of Pill Mill Doc Trial in Wichita, Kansas - Marianne Skolek Salem-News.com

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Salem-News.com Reporter Marianne Skolek, is an Activist for Victims of OxyContin throughout the United States and Canada. In July 2007, she testified against Purdue Pharma in Federal Court in Virginia at the sentencing of their three CEO's who pled guilty to charges of marketing OxyContin as less likely to be addictive or abused to physicians and patients. She also testified against Purdue Pharma at a Judiciary Hearing of the U.S. Senate in July 2007. Marianne works with government agencies and private attorneys in having a voice for her daughter Jill, who died in 2002 after being prescribed OxyContin, as well as the voice for scores of victims of OxyContin. She has been involved in her work for the past 7-1/2 years and is currently working on a book that exposes Purdue Pharma for their continued criminal marketing of OxyContin.

Marianne is a nurse having graduated in 1991 as president of her graduating class. She also has a Paralegal certification. Marianne served on a Community Service Board for the Courier News, a Gannet newspaper in NJ writing articles predominantly regarding AIDS patients and their emotional issues. She was awarded a Community Service Award in 1993 by the Hunterdon County, NJ HIV/AIDS Task Force in recognition of and appreciation for the donated time, energy and love in facilitating a Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS.

oxydeaths.com/news_chilling.htm
nytimes.com/2007/05/10/business/11drug-web.html?
blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2007/07/sometimes_only_justice_can_rel.html
judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=2905&wit_id=6612
You can send Marianne an email at: mskolek@aol.com
oxydeaths.com

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