PORTLAND (AP) — The manslaughter trial of a Portland man has been delayed while a city hospital fights the trial judge’s order to disclose information related to the victim’s death.
Opening statements in the trial of Ernest Weidul were scheduled for Tuesday, but Mercy Hospital is appealing to the Supreme Judicial Court.
The 52-year-old Weidul is charged with manslaughter in the May 2010 death of 46- year-old Roger Downs Jr.
Downs died at Mercy, two days after prosecutors allege Weidul beat him during a night of drinking.
The Portland Press Herald reports that Weidul’s lawyers say Downs died from pneumonia.
Downs did have pneumonia, but the hospital did not treat him for it. The hospital is arguing to the Supreme Court that information related to Mercy’s reviews of Downs’ death should remain confidential.
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