Former Pill Mill Doc Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter

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WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — A former South Florida pain doctor charged in the overdose deaths of two patients has taken a plea deal.

John Christensen, 64, originally faced first degree murder charges. On Thursday he pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to traffic oxycodone.

The charges involved the 2007 death of 47-year-old Florence Faye Garrett and the 2008 death of 31-year-old Pawel Staniszewski. Both lived in West Palm Beach.

Prosecutors said in court filings that Christensen overprescribed pain pills without examining patients and ignored strong signs of drug addiction. He had offices in West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie and Daytona Beach.

He faces up to five years in prison when he's sentenced December 6th.

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