Closing arguments set in deadly meningitis outbreak trial

Histopathology of bacterial meningitis: autopsy case of a person with pneumococcal meningitis showing inflammatory infiltrates of the pia mater consisting of neutrophil granulocytes (inset, higher magnification). (Photo By Marvin 101 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

BOSTON — Attorneys are preparing to make their closing arguments in the case of a Massachusetts pharmacist charged with second-degree murder in a deadly meningitis outbreak.

Closing arguments in Glenn Chin’s trial are expected Friday in Boston’s federal courthouse. Chin faces second-degree murder, mail fraud and other charges under federal racketeering law.

The 2012 outbreak that killed 76 people and sickened hundreds of others was traced to contaminated steroid injections made by the now-closed New England Compounding Center. Chin ran the clean rooms where the drugs were made.

Chin’s attorneys have tried to place the blame on the pharmacy’s co-founder, Barry Cadden.

Cadden was sentenced in June to nine years in prison after being acquitted of second-degree murder charges but convicted on conspiracy and fraud charges.