Doctor’s ‘pill mill’ case delayed

Feds say 7 people died of drug overdoses from painkillers.

Attorneys for a Dayton doctor and his wife alleged of running a “pill mill” have been granted a continuance in their trial that was to begin today.

Dr. David Kirkwood, 59, and Beverly Kirkwood, 47, will instead be tried Sept. 4 on their 20-count federal indictment.

“David Kirkwood has not yet reviewed discovery withheld from disclosure by the government, it is believed that the discovery in this matter is voluminous, and it will be impossible for defense counsel to adequately prepare for trial,” defense attorneys wrote in a motion to continue. “The trial date set by this court simply will not allowed undersigned counsel sufficient time to provide defendant, David Kirkwood, with effective counsel at a trial.”

At least seven people died of drug overdoses from painkillers prescribed by Dr. Kirkwood of the Kirkwood Family Practice on Linden Avenue in Dayton, according to a federal indictment.

In January, the Kirkwoods turned over their passports as part of their conditions of bond.

In October 2012, federal and state agents served a search warrant at the 2838 Linden Ave. office run by Kirkwood and his wife, in what Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine then called a year-long investigation into a suspected “pill mill.” DEA agents were seen removing boxes of what appeared to be records.

The Kirkwoods were indicted on numerous counts of conspiracy and distributing prescription pills and health care fraud. According to the indictment, Kirkwood would charge $100 per office visit and “examine” 60 to 100 patients per day.

The indictment states that the object of the conspiracy was “to make as much money as possible by distributing and dispensing controlled substances such as diazepam, carisoprodol, methadone, opana, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and alprazolam, to patients, other drug users, and conspirators.”

Those who died of overdoses from Kirkwood’s prescriptions were Eula Hoskins, Deborah Goff, Ronald Jackson, Tyrone Redavide, Gregory Spurlock, Norma Shepherd and Gary Durham, according to court documents.

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