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We’re moments away from a press conference with Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien regarding the Dr. William Husel case. Husel is officially charged with 25 counts of murder. I will live tweet conference. @nbc4i 
O’Brien is joined by @ColumbusPolice chief as well as cold case homicide detectives.
Grand jury returned 25 count murder indictment. Each charge carries a sentence of 15 to life in prison if convicted.
Husel will be arraigned today.
Police Chief Thomas Quinlan speaking now about @ColumbusPolice detectives 6 month investigation.
O’Brien: Mount Carmel has been completely cooperative in investigation.
“Absolute, complete cooperation ” from Mount Carmel, medical and nursing boards.
O’Brien will not call Husel a serial killer because he does not want to be accused of sensationalizing. “I would hesitate to use labels in that regard.”
But says he has never seen a 25 count murder indictment in all of his time at prosecutors office (including as an assistant).
Nurses, pharmacists, and other medical support staff were interviewed as witnesses, not suspects. O’Brien says he does not expect his office to be charging anyone else except Husel.
O’Brien says a pharmacist is the whistle blower. Notified hospital of dosages and investigation started.
O’Brien: The death penalty is not on the table.
That would require aggravated murder charge. Husel is charged with murder x25.
That would require aggravated murder charge. Husel is charged with murder x25.
O’Brien speaks to dosage of fentanyl ordered by Husel.
O’Brien speaking to how nurses were possibly convinced/explained to by Husel reason for such high dosage.
O’Brien says nursing board delayed their investigation and license revocations until detectives and his office were done with nurse interviews.
He thanked them for cooperation again.
He thanked them for cooperation again.
O’Brien: “I have no reason to believe [Husel] is not competent” to stand trial nor has his lawyer suggested that.
Lead detective says none of the families whose had love one killed by fentanyl thought of it as a “mercy killing.”
Press conference over.
Husel will be arraigned at 1:30p. His lawyer is expected to give a statement. @nbc4i
Husel will be arraigned at 1:30p. His lawyer is expected to give a statement. @nbc4i
