Judge refuses to reduce psychiatrist Christian Hageseth's conviction to misdemeanor; notes psych thinks he's "above the law"

June 10, 2011

This is only the latest in a string of legal actions against Colorado psychiatrist Christian E. Hageseth.  Following this article, there are links to other articles regarding the loss of his license, being kicked out of the American Psychiatric Association, etc.

A Colorado physician who was convicted of illegally supplying prescription drugs that led to a depressed Stanford University student's suicide will not receive a reduced conviction, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Lisa Novak has ruled.

Christian Ellis Hageseth, 70, pleaded no contest on Feb. 24, 2009, to a felony count of practicing medicine without a valid California medical license after prescribing anti-depressants through the Internet.

He prescribed the drugs to John McKay, a Stanford student and Menlo Park resident who was depressed, in June 2005. McKay committed suicide two months later.

Hageseth was sentenced July 1, 2009, to three years supervised probation after serving nine months under house arrest at his Colorado home. He received counseling, and paid more than $4,500 in restitution to the court and California Medical Board, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office said.

He could have had his conviction reduced to a misdemeanor after successfully completing his probation, but prosecutors opposed the defense motion.

Novak agreed, saying she had heard nothing compelling her to grant the requested relief, according to the DA's office.

The judge said she had concerns that Hagaseth might commit the crime again, in light of statements he made that minimized his culpability. Novak said Hagaseth thinks he is above the law and is not entitled to a misdemeanor reduction.

Source: Sue Dremann, "Doctor linked to student's suicide denied conviction reduction," Palo Alto Weekly,  June 10, 2011.

More:

Lawsuit and expulsion from APA

Surrender of Colorado license