Sydney: An Australian court on Monday ordered a US surgeon to stand trial on charges of manslaughter over the deaths of three patients during his time as a surgeon in Australia.
The doctor, Jayant Patel, 59, a US citizen born in India, could face life in prison if convicted of the charges, which stem from his time at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in northern Queensland state between 2003 and 2005.
He was extradited last July from America, where he had practiced previously.
Patel, who did not enter a plea in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in Queensland state, remains on bail pending the trial, said a justice official.
No date for the trial has been set. Magistrate Brian Hine ruled there was enough evidence to send Patel to trial for the manslaughter of Gerry Kemps, James Phillips and Mervyn Morris. Patel operated on all these three men.
During the committal hearing, the court was told Morris, 76, died in 2003 after Patel did two operations to try and stop bleeding in his bowel, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported from the court in the city of Brisbane.
Patel has previously said he is innocent of the charges.
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