Video – Doctor Not Responsible in Lawyer’s Death

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — A Lowndes County jury needs just 45 minutes to decide a long-time Columbus surgeon was not responsible for the death of a prominent Columbus lawyer.

After a seven-day trial, the five-man, seven-woman jury ruled about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon that Dr. Jerry Stennett did not violate medical standards or contribute to the death of Hunter Gholson at the age of 75 on Aug. 12, 2008.

Gholson’s son, Webb Gholson, and his estate claimed Stinnett misdiagnosed Gholson’s illness in July 2008 and that the misdiagnosis, treatment and failure to seek outside expertise contributed to Gholson’s death almost three weeks later.

Retired Dr. Robert Myers already admitted some responsibility in the case and settled a claim.

The family sought damages for medical expenses and loss of companionship and earnings for Gholson, who experts say had 10 more years of life expectancy.