Ex-nurse convicted of bleach killings awaits fate

[April 02, 2012]  LUFKIN, Texas (AP) -- A Texas nurse convicted of killing five kidney dialysis patients by injecting them with bleach faces a possible death sentence as jurors begin deliberating her punishment.

Kimberly Clark Saenz (synz) is due back in court Monday for the sentencing phase of her capital murder trial. Prosecutors say Saenz also deliberately injured five other patients at an East Texas dialysis clinic run by Denver-based health care giant DaVita Inc.

Saenz was fired in April 2008 after a rash of illnesses and deaths at the clinic. The 38-year-old didn't take the stand, but her lawyers argued Saenz was wrongly taking the blame for her company's sloppy procedures.

Bleach is commonly used to disinfect plastic lines and other dialysis equipment at the clinic.

Saenz faces death row or life in prison.

[Associated Press]

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