74.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsJury Finds Defendants Guilty in Schneider Hospital Retrial

Jury Finds Defendants Guilty in Schneider Hospital Retrial

Former Schneider Regional Medical Center Chief Rodney Miller exits Superior Court with his legal team late Thursday afternoon. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Former Schneider Regional Medical Center Chief Rodney Miller exits Superior Court with his legal team late Thursday afternoon. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

Two former chief executives of Schneider Regional Medical Center and their former chief financial officer were found guilty on all counts Thursday in Superior Court, in a case that stretches back a decade or more.

For defendants Rodney Miller, Amos Carty and Peter Najawicz it was the second time they faced corruption charges. But unlike the first trial in 2011, in which jurors could not agree on their guilt, jurors serving in the retrial had no doubt. They began deliberations Thursday morning and went home Thursday night, having delivered a verdict.

The verdict: Guilty on every count in the Seventh Amended Information, the charging document used in this criminal case. Jurors ignored arguments from the defense that the hospital board gave Miller the authority to grant raises, bonuses and stipends to Carty and Najawicz, his two top lieutenants in running the day-to-day operations at Roy Lester Schneider Hospital.

Defense attorneys also argued that the hospital board granted lavish compensation to the three in appreciation for achieving long desired goals and improving morale, cleanliness and patient services.

Defendant Amos Carty Jr. leaves Superior Court Thursday, accompanied by his wife, Verna and Attorney Gordon Rhea. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Defendant Amos Carty leaves Superior Court Thursday, accompanied by his wife, Verna and attorney Gordon Rhea. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

Superior Court Judge Michael Dunston set sentencing for Dec. 13. He also directed defendants to appear at a forfeiture hearing on Nov. 21. There the court will decide how to retrieve cash, land, houses and cars believed to have been acquired through the crimes the three were found guilty of Thursday.

V.I. Attorney General Denise George praised the efforts of jurors and the prosecution team at a press conference held at Justice Department headquarters in Charlotte Amalie. George also credited the staff at Justice for taking on extra work, freeing up the prosecutors to vigorously pursue the case.

“It’s an excellent team. They’re excellent attorneys. I thank them,” she said.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.