Home / Crime and Justice / Judge Rules M.E. Testimony Unrestricted in Brown Manslaughter Trial
Judge Rules M.E. Testimony Unrestricted in Brown Manslaughter Trial
8 Jul
Summary
- Medical Examiner's testimony on lidocaine toxicity is permitted.
- The surgeon is charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence.
- The trial date has been postponed to a later date in October.
Circuit Court Judge Clifton Drake ruled that First Judicial Circuit Medical Examiner Dr. Deanna Oleske will be permitted to testify without limitations in the manslaughter trial of Gulf Breeze plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Brown. Oleske had previously determined that lidocaine toxicity was the cause of Hillary Brown's death following surgical procedures performed by her husband. Brown's attorney, Mark O'Mara, had sought to restrict Oleske's testimony, particularly regarding toxicology findings.
Judge Drake found Dr. Oleske to be a qualified expert, stating she had conducted thorough research and considered other potential causes of death before concluding Hillary Brown died from complications of lidocaine toxicity. Hillary Brown, 33, went into cardiac arrest on November 21, 2023, during procedures in Dr. Brown's office and later died. Dr. Brown was arrested on June 17, 2024, accused of culpable negligence for allegedly administering a toxic dose of lidocaine and failing to call 911.
The court has rescheduled the manslaughter trial, which was initially set to open in August. A new date will be determined at Dr. Brown's next court appearance in October.
