AP-HP to Face Trial for Involuntary Manslaughter in Emergency Room Death
The Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) is set to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter following the 2018 death of a patient, Micheline Myrtil, in the emergency room at Lariboisière Hospital. An investigating judge concluded that serious negligence on the part of the hospital staff played a critical role in her death, which occurred after she was left unattended for several hours. Myrtil, who had been admitted with headaches and calf pain, was found dead on a stretcher the following day without having been examined by a doctor. The judge's findings contradicted the Paris prosecutor's office, which had previously sought to dismiss the case, citing a lack of causal link between hospital care deficiencies and Myrtil's death. The case highlights significant concerns regarding patient monitoring protocols in emergency departments, leading to increased scrutiny and recommendations for improved staffing and care.
Trial Sought for Police Officers in Cédric Chouviat's Death
In a separate but equally concerning case, the Paris prosecutor's office has called for the trial of three police officers for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Cédric Chouviat, a 42-year-old delivery man who died after being restrained during a police check in January 2020. Chouviat, who was hospitalized in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries two days later. The prosecution has indicated that the officers' negligence directly contributed to his death, as they failed to respond adequately to his repeated pleas of "I'm suffocating" during the incident. The victim's family has expressed outrage over the characterization of the officers' actions, arguing that it downplays the severity of the situation and the intentionality behind the use of force. The case continues to unfold as the investigating judge considers whether to proceed with the trial.
