Man Pleads Guilty to Third-Degree Murder in Botched Cover-Up Case Victim's Body Burned
Aug 30, 2023, 11:00 PM
In a long-awaited conclusion to a two-decade-old case, Jennifer Hall, a former respiratory therapist, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for her role in the deaths of two hospital patients. The sentencing comes after a series of events that began in 2002 at Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe, Missouri.
Originally facing charges of two counts of first-degree murder, Jennifer Hall ultimately pleaded guilty to reduced charges of first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of 75-year-old Fern Franco and 37-year-old David Wesley Harper. Additionally, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of attempted second-degree assault in connection with the case. The deaths occurred amidst a cluster of incidents that medical authorities described as "medically suspicious."
Fern Franco and David Harper were among a total of nine patients who tragically lost their lives at Hedrick Medical Center during several months in 2002. The charging documents highlighted the unusual circumstances surrounding these deaths, leading to a renewed investigation that spanned years.
Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren expressed his thoughts on the sentencing, stating, "A sentence 20 years in the making… But for now we all sleep better now knowing she is behind bars."
The unsettling case began when Hall commenced her employment at the hospital in December 2001. Until she was placed on administrative leave in May of the following year, a notable increase in cardiac arrests or "Code Blue" events had been observed, soaring from an average of one per year to 18 incidents during her tenure.
The case resurfaced after an analysis of Fern Franco's tissue samples revealed the presence of morphine and a potent muscle relaxant, both unauthorized substances in her system. These findings led investigators to question the circumstances surrounding Franco's death and sparked suspicions about Hall's involvement due to her close proximity to the affected patients, her access to potentially lethal medications, and her consistent notifications of patients' cardiac emergencies.
Over the course of the investigation, it was determined that nine patients had succumbed to their conditions while under Hall's care, while another nine managed to recover. The case eventually resulted in Hall being charged with first-degree murder in Fern Franco's death.
Scott Lindley, the county coroner, alleged that hospital officials attempted to cover up concerns about Hall's actions to avoid negative publicity. Despite the concerns, no criminal investigation was initiated at that time.
A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in 2010 on behalf of the families of five deceased patients, naming the hospital and its current operator, St. Luke’s Health System. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2019 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
St. Luke's Health System released a statement clarifying that it assumed control of Hedrick Medical Center over a year after the events occurred. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Adam Warren took up the investigation in 2012, driven by the belief that a comprehensive inquiry had not been carried out previously.
The patients affected by the events ranged in age and health conditions, from World War II veteran Charles O’Hara at 88 years old to 37-year-old David Harper, who had been on the path to recovery from pneumonia before his untimely death. Shirley Eller, aged 49, was on the verge of being discharged after treatment for pneumonia when she suddenly collapsed and passed away.
The unsettling circumstances surrounding these deaths raised questions about the nature of the fatalities. Jennifer Hall's actions were scrutinized, leading to the conclusion that her involvement led to the unfortunate demise of some patients.
In the case of Fern Franco, a vulnerable and elderly patient, Hall's actions were particularly damning. The administration of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine resulted in what prosecutors described as a "ghastly death from suffocation" while Franco remained conscious. Hall's administrative leave following Franco's death coincided with a "Code Blue" incident drop.
Although Hall was eventually terminated from her position, it was not directly due to the patient's deaths. Her firing came after hospital authorities discovered her conviction for an arson incident at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, a previous workplace. Despite spending time behind bars, she was acquitted after a retrial.
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Originally facing charges of two counts of first-degree murder, Jennifer Hall ultimately pleaded guilty to reduced charges of first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of 75-year-old Fern Franco and 37-year-old David Wesley Harper. Additionally, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of attempted second-degree assault in connection with the case. The deaths occurred amidst a cluster of incidents that medical authorities described as "medically suspicious."
Fern Franco and David Harper were among a total of nine patients who tragically lost their lives at Hedrick Medical Center during several months in 2002. The charging documents highlighted the unusual circumstances surrounding these deaths, leading to a renewed investigation that spanned years.
Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren expressed his thoughts on the sentencing, stating, "A sentence 20 years in the making… But for now we all sleep better now knowing she is behind bars."
The unsettling case began when Hall commenced her employment at the hospital in December 2001. Until she was placed on administrative leave in May of the following year, a notable increase in cardiac arrests or "Code Blue" events had been observed, soaring from an average of one per year to 18 incidents during her tenure.
The case resurfaced after an analysis of Fern Franco's tissue samples revealed the presence of morphine and a potent muscle relaxant, both unauthorized substances in her system. These findings led investigators to question the circumstances surrounding Franco's death and sparked suspicions about Hall's involvement due to her close proximity to the affected patients, her access to potentially lethal medications, and her consistent notifications of patients' cardiac emergencies.
Over the course of the investigation, it was determined that nine patients had succumbed to their conditions while under Hall's care, while another nine managed to recover. The case eventually resulted in Hall being charged with first-degree murder in Fern Franco's death.
Scott Lindley, the county coroner, alleged that hospital officials attempted to cover up concerns about Hall's actions to avoid negative publicity. Despite the concerns, no criminal investigation was initiated at that time.
A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in 2010 on behalf of the families of five deceased patients, naming the hospital and its current operator, St. Luke’s Health System. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2019 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
St. Luke's Health System released a statement clarifying that it assumed control of Hedrick Medical Center over a year after the events occurred. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Adam Warren took up the investigation in 2012, driven by the belief that a comprehensive inquiry had not been carried out previously.
The patients affected by the events ranged in age and health conditions, from World War II veteran Charles O’Hara at 88 years old to 37-year-old David Harper, who had been on the path to recovery from pneumonia before his untimely death. Shirley Eller, aged 49, was on the verge of being discharged after treatment for pneumonia when she suddenly collapsed and passed away.
The unsettling circumstances surrounding these deaths raised questions about the nature of the fatalities. Jennifer Hall's actions were scrutinized, leading to the conclusion that her involvement led to the unfortunate demise of some patients.
In the case of Fern Franco, a vulnerable and elderly patient, Hall's actions were particularly damning. The administration of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine resulted in what prosecutors described as a "ghastly death from suffocation" while Franco remained conscious. Hall's administrative leave following Franco's death coincided with a "Code Blue" incident drop.
Although Hall was eventually terminated from her position, it was not directly due to the patient's deaths. Her firing came after hospital authorities discovered her conviction for an arson incident at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, a previous workplace. Despite spending time behind bars, she was acquitted after a retrial.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com