A pharmacist, Glenn Chin, has been charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of 11 Michigan residents who died in a 2012 meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated steroids from a Massachusetts lab. Efforts to reach a plea bargain between Chin and state prosecutors have been unsuccessful, leading to a trial date being set for November 4 by Livingston County Judge Matthew McGivney. Michigan is the only state to charge Chin and Barry Cadden, an executive at the New England Compounding Center, for deaths related to the outbreak, which affected over 700 people in 20 states and resulted in dozens of deaths.
Chin, who is currently serving a 10 1/2-year federal sentence for racketeering, fraud, and other crimes connected to the outbreak, expressed remorse at his federal sentencing, stating, “I am truly sorry that this ever occurred.” Chin’s attorney declined to comment on the case, but in the past, they have argued that the second-degree murder charges are not appropriate for what they believe is a products liability case. The attorney argued before the state Supreme Court in 2022 that second-degree murder charges in this context are a novel idea in Michigan.
Barry Cadden, the executive at the New England Compounding Center, was recently sentenced to at least 10 years in prison after pleading no contest to involuntary manslaughter. The second-degree murder charges against him were dropped, and his Michigan sentence will run concurrently with his federal sentence of14 1/2 years. This means that Cadden may not have to serve any additional time behind bars, which has upset the families of the victims of the outbreak. Despite the legal proceedings, Chin’s lawyers have continued to argue against the second-degree murder charges, but have been unsuccessful in their efforts.
The New England Compounding Center’s “clean room” where the contaminated steroids were prepared, was found to be rife with mold, insects, and cracks, according to investigators. Chin supervised production in this environment, which ultimately led to the tainted steroids being shipped to pain clinics, resulting in the outbreak. The case has garnered significant attention due to the large number of people affected by the outbreak and the severe consequences, including deaths, that resulted from the contamination.
As the trial for Glenn Chin approaches, the families of the victims and the authorities involved in the case are hopeful that justice will be served. The legal proceedings surrounding this tragic incident have been complex and contentious, with the defense continuing to argue against the second-degree murder charges. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the families of the victims, as they seek closure and accountability for the loss of their loved ones. The trial is set to begin in the fall, and all eyes will be on the courtroom as the case unfolds.
