Wednesday September 5, 03:41 PM
Naturopath's negligence 'caused death'A Sydney naturopath's gross negligence caused the death of a patient who was suffering from chronic kidney disease, a NSW Supreme Court jury has been told.
In the opening address for the prosecution, barrister Paul Leask said Vecko Krsteski, 37, had agreed to pay naturopath Jeffrey Dummett $3,000 for a live-in detoxification program.
On February 13, 2002, Mr Krsteski moved into a granny flat attached to Dummett's premises at Oatley, in Sydney's south.
By February 23, he had lost 11kg and two days later he was found dead of a heart attack in the flat.
Dummett, 39, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Krsteski.
Mr Leask said Dummett had been "grossly negligent" in his treatment of Mr Krsteski and breached his duty of care to him.
"The crown case is the accused filled Vecko with false hope for profit," he said.
But John Doris, counsel for Dummett, told the jury a post-mortem examination revealed Mr Krsteski had a previously unknown severe heart disease.
The trial is continuing.
http://nz.news.yahoo.com//070905/9/1k2a.html