A Santa Rosa doctor faces second-degree murder charges and elder abuse because he overprescribed pain medications to five patients who died, according to the state Department of Justice.
The case against Dr. Thomas Keller is unprecedented, according to Attorney General Xavier Becerra. A doctor has not been charged with murder before for inappropriately writing opioid prescriptions, Becerra's office said.
Keller, a neurosurgeon, allegedly wrote prescriptions between 2011 and 2017 for the highest possible doses of Vicodin, Oxycontin, morphine and other pain medications while also prescribing muscle relaxants and other drugs that are known to cause dangerous interactions.
Despite warnings from pharmacies and insurance companies, Keller continued to write prescriptions for high volumes of the drugs, the criminal complaint contends.
John Cox, an attorney for Keller, told the Press Democrat that Becerra's office is overreaching in its effort to stem the opioid crisis.
Keller was arrested on Monday.and will remain in custody. There will be a bail hearing on August 20.