HOWELL, Michigan – A judge in Michigan has caused grief and dismay by unexpectedly postponing the sentencing of a man at the center of a deadly meningitis outbreak that affected multiple states. People who were prepared to share their sorrow 12 years after the tragedy were left disappointed when Judge Matthew McGivney decided to delay the proceedings until May 10.
Barry Cadden, who took a no-contest plea, was expected to receive a minimum 10-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter. However, due to the retirement of the original judge handling the case, the situation became unclear, leading to the sentencing postponement, much to the distress of the victims’ families.
Peggy Nuerenberg, whose mother died as a result of the tainted steroid injections, expressed her shock at the sudden turn of events, stating that the hiccup was disrespectful to the victims and their loved ones who had worked diligently to prepare their statements.
One complicating factor in the case is that Judge McGivney’s wife works for the state attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting Cadden. Despite this, the judge has stated that he does not plan to recuse himself from the case.
Michigan is the sole state prosecuting Cadden for the deaths related to the mold-tainted steroids distributed by the New England Compounding Center. The outbreak led to sickness and deaths in 20 states, with the death toll reaching at least 64.
While prosecutors have reached an agreement for a minimum 10-year prison sentence for Cadden, the sentence is expected to run concurrently with his existing federal prison term related to the scandal. This has sparked outrage among some family members of the victims who believe that justice is not being served.
Gene Keyes, who lost his mother to the tainted steroids, expressed his disappointment, stating that Cadden prioritized greed over people. The case against a key employee at the lab, Glenn Chin, is still pending, with no plea deal reached yet.
Ken Borton, a survivor of the tainted steroids, continues to suffer chronic health issues, emphasizing the long-term impact of the tragedy on the victims. The delay in sentencing has only added to the pain and frustration felt by those affected by the outbreak.