„Black Angel” on trial for mercy killings

BUDAPEST - A 25-year-old nurse known as the “Black Angel” went on trial in Hungary on Monday charged with killing eight terminally ill patients in a Budapest hospital. Timea Faludi was arrested in February 2001 and admitted to helping up to 40 terminally ill patients die during the previous year by administering lethal overdoses of morphine and other painkillers. She later retracted her confession and police could only find eight cases in which she was strongly suspected of having helped predominantly elderly patients die. Euthanasia is illegal in Hungary. Faludi earned her nickname from colleagues at the Gyula night shifts when she worked alone. Legal experts have said the prosecution’s case will be made difficult as the alleged victims have been cremated. If convicted, Faludi could face a penalty of life in prison. (Reuters)