Court told how drug supplier advised against hospital treatment for overdose victim
A man who in 2006 was jailed for 25 years for his involvement in the death of a woman from a drug overdose today testified in court against David Gatt, 32, who stands accused of murder for having supplied her the drug.
Jason Decelis, along with his mother, had been jailed for murder by omission for not having helped overdose victim Rachel Bowdler, 18. He told the court today that he had seen Bowdler at Gatt’s house on the day she died. She had called to buy heroin, and she had given him her mobile phone as payment. Gatt had cooked the heroin and she injected it herself.
Mr Decelis said that later that day Bowdler fell asleep at his house. He had called Mr Gatt who advised him to inject salt and water into her vein.When she still did not recover he again phoned him several times but was urged not to take her to hospital for fear of arrest.
At 11.30 p.m. that day he went back to Mr Gatt’s house with his mother to discuss what they would do.The accused urged them to wait till the morning.
In the morning he told them where to leave her body and personal things. Together with his parents they dumped her on the road leading to Golden Bay.
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Charles Sammut
Jun 10th 2009, 21:13
@ I Abela
If the arrangement is as you say, it is useless.
Drug o/d victims are usually unconscious, so somebody else has to transport them to hospital. If on recovering, the victim is pressured into telling who was involved, we will keep getting the situation described above. I doubt whether anybody would risk lending help if there is the slightest chance that he would end up merde's creek with no paddle.
M. Zammit
Jun 10th 2009, 18:18
If considerations of law enforcement in an emergency situation come to mind, we have truly lost our souls!
Does it make sense to say that drug suppliers should be charged with attempted murder every time they are caught with drugs? More harsh sentences should be meted out and confiscation of all property to, and that to go to anti-drug education Minister.
I Abela
Jun 10th 2009, 17:37
@ Charles Sammut - This arrangement is already in place. You can freely take overdose victims to hospital with no questions asked. Obviously once awake, the overdose victim would have to answer questions. But thats not really our problem isn't it?
Charles Sammut
Jun 10th 2009, 16:20
This is a tragic story. So addicts are supplied with syringes anonymously and no questions asked. Well and good and this has helped in preventing the spread of HIV amongst intravenous drug users.
By the same reasoning, shouldn't there be some arrangement whereby overdose victims can be given medical help no questions asked? Or is law enforcement more important than human life?