A Michigan judge has postponed the sentencing of Barry Cadden, a key figure in a fatal meningitis outbreak that affected multiple states. The decision to delay the sentencing, which was expected to result in a minimum 10-year prison term for involuntary manslaughter, has left many individuals who were prepared to share their grief dismayed.
The case, stemming from tainted steroid injections produced at the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts, resulted in over 700 people across 20 states falling ill with meningitis or other severe conditions, with at least 64 deaths reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cadden, who recently entered a no-contest plea to involuntary manslaughter, faces charges related to 11 deaths in Michigan. While prosecutors have agreed to a 10-year prison sentence, it is expected to run concurrently with Cadden's existing 14 1/2-year federal prison term for crimes linked to the outbreak.
Despite the plea deal, some families of the victims have expressed dissatisfaction, believing that Cadden's punishment does not adequately reflect the gravity of the situation. One individual, whose mother passed away due to the tainted steroids, criticized the arrangement, stating that Cadden prioritized greed over people's well-being.
The judge overseeing the case, who inherited it following the retirement of the previous judge, has faced scrutiny due to his wife's employment at the state attorney general's office, which is prosecuting Cadden. However, the judge has indicated that he does not intend to recuse himself from the proceedings.
Meanwhile, a key employee at the compounding center, Glenn Chin, has not reached a plea deal and is facing trial on second-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths. Chin is currently serving a federal sentence and his case remains pending.
As the legal proceedings continue, individuals impacted by the outbreak, such as Ken Borton, who still suffers from chronic health issues as a result of the tainted steroids, are grappling with the lasting effects of the tragedy. Borton, along with other survivors and families of victims, are closely following the developments in the case as they seek closure and justice.
