Dr. Robert Ferrante charged in Cyanide poisoning of his wife, Dr. Autumn Marie Klein -- Pittsburgh, PA -- Found Guilty

Family struggles with UPMC doctor’s cyanide death

Dr. Autumn Marie Klein, 41, of Oakland collapsed late on April 17 shortly after returning home from work and died April 20. Pittsburgh police said Klein, a prominent UPMC neurologist, had a toxic level of cyanide in her blood.

By Margaret Harding

Published: Thursday, May 2, 2013, 11:49 p.m.
Updated: Friday, May 3, 2013

After almost two weeks, Lois Klein is still wondering what killed her daughter, a prominent UPMC physician.

Dr. Autumn Marie Klein collapsed late in the evening on April 17 and died April 20. She was cremated days later.

“When we were first told by her husband, he said they think she may have had a stroke,” Lois Klein of Towson, Md., said on Thursday. “Then we were told there was no stroke, there was no aneurysm, there was no heart damage. That's all we were told.

Pittsburgh police said Autumn Klein of Oakland had a toxic level of cyanide in her system, leaving her family with more questions.

“I'm assuming she's been poisoned,” Lois Klein said. “For a reason I don't know. I would not be able to pinpoint a reason.”

Read more:

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3951106-74/klein-lois-ferrante#axzz2amejIscP

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Parents of Doctor Who Died of Cyanide Poisoning Say 'She Could Not Have Harmed Herself'



By TAI HERNANDEZ and ALEXIS SHAW

May 4, 2013

Investigators have not yet confirmed the cause of a death of a prominent Pennsylvania neurologist whose autopsy revealed she had "toxic levels of cyanide" in her system, but her parents spoke out against the possibility that their daughter's death was a suicide.

"We cannot imagine someone harming our daughter, but from what we're told, she could not have harmed herself," Dr. Autumn Marie Klein's parents, William and Lois Klein told ABC News in a prepared statement.

Klein, 41, collapsed at her home in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood and later died on April 20 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where she was chief of the division of women's neurology and an assistant professor of neurology, obstetrics and gynecology.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/autumn-marie-klein-parents-doctor-died-cyanide-poisoning/story?id=19108708

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Warrants, subpoenas issued in death of W. Pa. doc

The Associated Press

Posted: Friday, May 3, 2013, 1:23 PM

PITTSBURGH - Authorities have said they're considering both homicide and suicide as possibilities in the sudden death last month of a western Pennsylvania physician who was found to have high levels of cyanide poison in her system.

Dr. Autumn Klein, 41, died April 20 after falling ill at home three days earlier. She headed the women's neurology department at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and taught at the university's medical school, where her 64-year-old husband, Dr. Robert Ferrante, teaches neurology and is co-director of the Center for ALS Research.

City homicide detectives obtained search warrants Thursday for the university and the home the couple shared with a 6-year-old daughter, Cianna. Investigators have also subpoenaed records about cyanide at the university to determine who had access to it, among other issues, Zappala said.

Read more:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20130503_ap_warrantssubpoenasissuedindeathofwpadoc.html#gW88bTtTgQoy011O.99

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Autumn Marie Klein Update: FBI helps investigate prominent Pittsburgh doctor's death from cyanide poisoning

By Stephanie Slifer
May 6, 2013 3:09 PM

(CBS) PITTSBURGH - The FBI is now helping investigate the death of Autumn Marie Klein, a prominent doctor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who died of cyanide poisoning on April 20, CBS Pittsburgh reports.

Homicide detectives, technicians from the police crime lab and the FBI - armed with a search warrant - searched the Pittsburgh home Klein shared with her husband, Dr. Robert Ferrante, and their 6-year-old daughter on Friday night.

Read more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57583076-504083/autumn-marie-klein-update-fbi-helps-investigate-prominent-pittsburgh-doctors-death-from-cyanide-poisoning/

Husband of highly-respected doctor and 'fantastic mother' had purchased cyanide just TWO days before she was poisoned to death

•Dr. Robert Ferrante told police his wife had suffered a stroke  
•But Dr. Autumn Marie Klein's body was found to contain more than 30 times the lethal level of cyanide
•Ferrante is alleged to have used his work credit card to buy cyanide just days before her death
•His attorney claims his client uses the poison as part of his job as a university professor
•Pittsburgh police are currently looking for more evidence

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 09:54 EST, 17 May 2013 | UPDATED: 10:09 EST, 17 May 2013

 
Dr. Autumn Marie Klein, left, was found to have 30 times the lethal level of cyanide in her system when she died, while husband Dr. Robert Ferrante had purchased the poison just two days before her death.

The husband of a well-respected doctor and mother of a six-year-old girl bought cyanide just two days before her death, it was revealed today.

Autumn Marie Klein, 41, collapsed at her Oakland, Pennsylvania home and died on April 20 at UPMC Presbyterian, where she also headed the women's neurology department.

Husband Dr. Robert Ferrante told authorities and his wife's family that she had suffered a stroke, but investigators found her body had more than 30 times the lethal level of cyanide in her system.


As well as heading the women's neurology department at UPMC, Klein was also a mother of six-year-old daughter called Cianna.

It has now been revealed that Ferrante, who is a medical expert at the University of Pittsburgh, used his work credit card to purchase cyanide just two days before his wife's death.

Ferrante's attorney Bill Difenderfer told KDKA that his client uses cyanide as part of his job as a professor at the university.

However police say the purchase of the poison so close to Klein's death is part of their investigation and they are preparing to execute several more warrants in the case, as they look for further evidence.

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2326163/Husband-highly-respected-doctor-fantastic-mother-purchased-cyanide-just-TWO-days-poisoned-death.html#ixzz2aq7Nz0Hu

Neuroscientist Charged with Homicide in Wife's Cyanide Death



By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb)

July 25, 2013

A University of Pittsburgh neuroscientist was charged today with criminal homicide in the death of his wife, a doctor, who collapsed in their home and died three days later of acute cyanide poisoning.

Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, allegedly killed his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, 41, by lacing her creatine drink with cyanide on April 17, the same day the couple had exchanged text messages about how a creatine regimen could help them conceive their second child, according to a criminal complaint released today.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/neuroscientist-charged-homicide-wifes-cyanide-poisoning-death/story?id=19775930

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Pa. cyanide doctor's extradition hearing on Monday

Jul. 26 3:21 PM EDT


This undated photo provided by the Allegheny County District Attorney shows University of Pittsburgh medical researcher Dr. Robert Ferrante.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A University of Pittsburgh medical researcher charged with fatally poisoning his neurologist wife with cyanide will face an extradition hearing next week in West Virginia.

Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, was jailed without bond after his arrest Thursday night in Beckley, W.Va. State police stopped him there after Pittsburgh police had flown flew to St. Augustine, Fla., to arrest him, only to learn he had already left. Authorities haven't said why Ferrante was in Florida.

Defense attorney William Difenderfer said Ferrante wasn't fleeing police and was simply stopped while driving back to Pennsylvania to surrender on a criminal homicide charge.

Allegheny County prosecutors accused Difenderfer of tipping off Ferrante so he could avoid arrest. But Difenderfer said he simply contacted Ferrante at dawn Thursday and told him to surrender in Pittsburgh once the attorney learned police had an arrest warrant for Ferrante.

Read more:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/lawyer-researcher-cyanide-case-wasnt-fleeing

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UPDATE: Arresting Officer of Pitt. accused murderer Dr. Ferrante speaks (Video)

Posted: Jul 26, 2013 10:38 AM CDT Updated: Jul 26, 2013 5:20 PM CDT

By Jessie Gavin, Digital Journalist



Pittsburgh doctor and professor Robert Ferrante was arrested thanks to West Virginia State Troopers.

He was arrested around 7:00 p.m. Thursday night in Raleigh County after his car was stopped when troopers pulled him over.

59News spoke with the arresting officer, WV State Police Sgt. W.C. Tupper. It wasn't until after Sgt. Tupper arrested Dr. Ferrante that he realized just how high profile of a man he was.  He said it was a swift, routine arrest.

"At the time we didn't realize it was a case of this magnitute other than it was a murder suspect. Every murderer is expectaular in and of itself," Tupper told us

He walked us step by step through the arrest that he says happened without incident.

~Snipped~

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office released this statement this evening following the arrest:
"In the course of attempting to execute an arrest warrant for homicide suspect Robert Ferrante today in St. Augustine, Fla., our office was advised that counsel for the defendant had advised him of the warrant earlier today and told him to leave the state of Florida. Because the defendant is facing a criminal homicide charge and has the financial means to travel anywhere, a national law enforcement bulletin was broadcast concerning this defendant. This evening, our office was notified by the West Virginia State Police that they had located the defendant and his vehicle near Beckley, W. Va., and shortly thereafter he was taken into custody. Our office will be working with prosecutors in West Virginia to extradite the defendant in a timely fashion and on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh Police Department and our office, we would like to thank the West Virginia State Police for their efforts in taking this homicide suspect into custody."

~Snipped~

His daughter has been placed in the custody of her maternal grandmother.

Read more:

http://www.wvnstv.com/story/22940611/59news-exclusive-interview-with-arresting-officer-of-pitt-accused-murderupdate

Pittsburgh Husband Charged in Cyanide-Poisoning Death Waives Extradition


Dr. Robert Ferrante, left, is seen in this handout photo from the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, which has charged him in the death of his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, right, who is seen in this July 27, 2011, photo provided by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. (Allegheny County District Attorney's Office | AP Photo)

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb) and ANTHONY CASTELLANO

July 29, 2013

A University of Pittsburgh researcher will be returned to Pennsylvania to face accusations he fatally poisoning his neurologist wife

Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, waived his right to extradition at a hearing this afternoon in West Virginia.

Ferrante, who was taken into custody Thursday, is charged with one count of criminal homicide. Ferrante's lawyer, William Difenderfer, said the allegations are false and that his client was on his way to turn himself in to police in Pittsburgh when he was pulled over in West Virginia on the way back from Florida.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/pittsburgh-husband-charged-cyanide-poisoning-death-waives-extradition/story?id=19799840

Professor accused of poisoning wife with cyanide waives extradition

From John Berman and Marlei Martinez, CNN
updated 5:29 PM EDT, Mon July 29, 2013



(CNN) -- A University of Pittsburgh research professor waived extradition Monday during a hearing in West Virginia as authorities seek his return to Pennsylvania, where he's accused of killing his wife with a lethal dose of cyanide.

Robert Ferrante was not expected to fight extradition.

"He's anxious to defend himself, have his day in court, prove his innocence," said Ferrante's defense attorney William Difenderfer.

Pennsylvania police have 10 days to pick him up, said assistant prosecutor Andy Dimlich.

Read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/29/justice/pennsylvania-doctor-cyanide-poisoning

Cyanide suspect returns to Pittsburgh (Video)

Pitt researcher Robert Ferrante charged in wife's death

UPDATED 7:15 PM EDT Jul 30, 2013

PITTSBURGH —A University of Pittsburgh medical researcher accused of poisoning his wife with a cyanide-laced energy drink was extradited to Allegheny County and pleaded not guilty to a homicide charge Tuesday afternoon.

Pittsburgh police picked up Dr. Robert Ferrante at Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, W.Va., and brought him back to the city, then booked him into the county jail.  He wore a white dress shirt under his red jail jumpsuit while being arraigned via video by Judge David Cashman.

~Snipped~

Charles and Lois Klein, the elderly parents of the victim, Dr. Autumn Klein, were in the courtroom but did not speak.

~Snipped~

Klein, 41, the chief of women's neurology at UPMC, died April 20 after falling ill at her Oakland home three days earlier. Blood tests revealed a lethal level of cyanide, but only after she died and was cremated at her husband's insistence, police said.

Read more:

http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/lawyer-cyanide-suspect-will-ok-extradition-to-pittsburgh/-/10927008/21223502/-/extqdnz/-/index.html#ixzz2b15Yykii

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Pittsburgh Doctor Pleads Not Guilty in Wife's Cyanide Poisoning Death


Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, was extradited to Allegheny County and pleaded not guilty to a homicide charge Tuesday afternoon, July 30, 2013. (ABC News)

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB (@alyssanewcomb)

July 30, 2013

A University of Pittsburgh researcher who allegedly laced his wife's creatine drink with a lethal dose of cyanide pleaded not guilty today to criminal homicide.

Dressed in an orange jail uniform and with his hands shackled, Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, appeared in a Pittsburgh court today, one day after he waived extradition from West Virginia, where he was arrested last Thursday.

Ferrante's attorney, William Difenderfer, said his client was traveling from Florida to turn himself in to police in Pittsburgh when he was pulled over in West Virginia.

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/pittsburgh-doctor-pleads-guilty-wifes-cyanide-poisoning-death/story?id=19820101

AUTUMN MARIE KLEIN

Obituary

- See more at:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?n=autumn-marie-klein&pid=164395318&fhid=9799#fbLoggedOut

On Cyanide and the Homicidal Scientist

BY DEBORAH BLUM 07.29.13 4:18 PM

A University of Pittsburgh researcher was in court today in West Virginia (where he was stopped by police during a road trip). The occasion was  an extradition hearing which began the process of returning him to Pennsylvania for trial. And the charge against him there was murder, the cyanide poisoning of his wife and scientific colleague in April.

Neuroscientist, Robert Ferrante, 64, who appeared only briefly, said he would not fight the transfer. The lawyers for Ferrante, a long-time specialist in Lou Gehrig’s disease, have indicated, not surprisingly, that he denies the homicide charge. It’s not clear, of course, how he’ll explain the fact that he purchased a half-pound of cyanide with his university credit card, which – according to the police – was not a material used in any of his research projects.

Investigators also found witnesses who saw Ferrante experimenting with mixing up the creatine-enhanced energy drink that his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, was taking in the belief that it would help her become pregnant. Klein, 41, and Ferrante had a six-year-old daughter, and she was hoping to have a second child.  Perhaps she hoped it would save a troubled marriage; the police also turned up indications that she’d been thinking about leaving Ferrante.

~Snipped~

Three days later, she was dead. As I wrote in May, suspicion of poisoning  grew slowly. The fact that it grew at all was due to some very good detective work at the university’s medical center. As Klein lay in a coma, there was no initial suspicion of cyanide poisoning. Ferrante himself was publicly querying friends as to what might have caused the collapse. The hospital ran a spectrum of tests and one of the results, reportedly, was an unusually high level of acid in her blood stream.

Read more:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/07/cyanide-and-murder-a-science-story/

UPMC Presbyterian found clues in cyanide poisoning puzzle

August 1, 2013 12:01 am

By Paula Reed Ward and Liz Navratil / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An extraordinary confluence of circumstances allowed UPMC Presbyterian hospital staff to figure out that Autumn Klein may have been suffering from cyanide poisoning the night she was raced into their emergency room April 17.

First, city paramedics took Klein to the Oakland hospital over the requests of her husband, Robert Ferrante, 64, a University of Pittsburgh medical researcher who is now charged with criminal homicide in her death. He told a 911 call taker that he wanted his wife to go to UPMC Shadyside -- saying falsely, according to an affidavit of probable cause, that his wife's parents were there -- even though Shadyside was farther away from the couple's Oakland home and is not classified as a trauma center.

Second, Klein survived for a much longer time than is typical in acute cyanide poisonings. A person who has ingested cyanide will die within two to three minutes, an expert said. Instead, in the case of Klein, the ER staff at Presby kept her alive -- at least in part by using a blood circulation system that supplies oxygen to the blood called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

~Snipped~

Cyanide tends to affect the heart and brain first, toxicologists said, and works by blocking the spot where oxygen needs to bind to produce energy. The result is a "cascade effect where basically you suffocate," said Brian Logue, a South Dakota State University professor who has studied cyanide extensively.

Cyanide poisoning can cause coughing and convulsions, and it has been reported there can be an uncontrolled scream caused by muscle contraction.

"Sounds of respiratory distress can be heard in the background during the call," according to the affidavit of probable cause against Mr. Ferrante, which noted that the 911 call taker could hear Klein groan in the background.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/makings-of-a-cyanide-diagnosis-697576/#ixzz2asTAMKwM

POLICE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

VS.

ROBERT FERRANTE

AFFIDAVIT of PROBABLE CAUSE

http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/robert-ferrante.pdf

What a horrible way to die.
Thank's for all the info on this case.
I may have to follow it.

One Wonders wrote:What a horrible way to die.
Thank's for all the info on this case.
I may have to follow it.

She died a horrible death, I can't even imagine the horror that she suffered. I believe she was the only child, my heart goes out to her parents and to her little daughter, Cianna. I will be following this case very closely.

It would be nice if you could join the discussion and share your thoughts and opinions about this case.

You are welcome!

Robert Ferrante in the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, W.Va.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/man-accused-of-poisoning-wife-expected-to-be-returned-697053/#ixzz2b3ZMI85o

Pitt researcher Robert J. Ferrante exploited loopholes to buy cyanide

August 4, 2013 12:19 am

By Liz Navratil / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When University of Pittsburgh medical researcher Robert J. Ferrante ordered cyanide in April, he exploited some loopholes in the university and chemical company's policies that allowed him to obtain a deadly chemical quicker than normal.

Mr. Ferrante was arrested last month in the homicide of his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, who died of cyanide poisoning.

Cyanide, which can kill a human in a few minutes, is difficult for the average person to get hold of. But within the scientific community, cyanide is relatively easy to obtain.

~Snipped~

Of 145 chemical purchases made by Mr. Ferrante's lab at the Pitt medical school and reviewed by city homicide detectives, the cyanide purchase was the only one that did not directly relate to a project or grant associated with his work.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pitt-researcher-robert-j-ferrante-exploited-loopholes-to-buy-cyanide-698041/#ixzz2bEgbMXYq

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Assets Frozen, Gag Order Issued In Ferrante Case

August 5, 2013 4:23 PM

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The battle lines are now drawn over more than the innocence or guilt of Dr. Robert Ferrante.

The fight is now over who controls his money and who can saw what.

Defense Attorney Phil Dilucente is not involved with the case, but has some insight on the money issue.

“I think the judge was being extremely cautious,” Dilucente said. “I think he wanted to make sure he had sufficient funds to properly defend himself, also if there were any experts needed in the case.”

Read more:

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/08/05/assets-frozen-gag-order-issued-in-ferrante-case/

Judge issues gag order in cyanide poison case

More than $3 million in Robert Ferrante's assets also froze

UPDATED 4:27 PM EDT Aug 05, 2013


PITTSBURGH —A western Pennsylvania judge has issued a gag order in the case of a University of Pittsburgh researcher charged with fatally poisoning his neurologist wife with cyanide, and continued a previous court order freezing more than $3 million in assets belonging to the defendant and his dead wife.

Allegheny County prosecutors asked to freeze the assets Monday should Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, be convicted and ordered to pay restitution in the April death of Dr. Autumn Klein, 41.

Common Pleas Judge David Cashman agreed, but indicated he did so also to ensure some money remains to provide for the couple's 6-year-old daughter, Cianna, who is temporarily in the custody of Klein's parents. Cashman is scheduled to address the girl's continuing custody status at another hearing on Wednesday.

Read more:

http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/judge-issues-gag-order-in-cyanide-poison-case/-/10927008/21337342/-/cgtdvv/-/index.html#ixzz2bERQaK7z

This looks like an interesting case, and the evidence looks pretty strong against him.

I find it interesting that it's so similar to Dr. Yazeed Essa, who was convicted of giving cyanide to his wife, Rosemarie, via calcium supplements. He's serving a life sentence, with the possibility of parole in 20 years.  In both cases, they almost got away with it.  In the Essa case, his wife being poisoned caused her to crash her car, but astute investigators realized she didn't die from injuries.  In this case, it sounds like there were also astute observers/medical experts who saw the unexpectedly highly oxygenated blood and were smart enough to run tests for cyanide before she died.

Thanks for all the articles on this case, Alessandra!  Definitely one worth following!  Although now that there's a gag order, I wonder how much more (if anything) we will hear.

@CuriousPortlander

As long as there is a gag order in place the flow of information to the news media will be restricted, but we will still get information about documents and court proceedings, e.g., motions, hearings, rulings, etc.

Alessandra_Deux wrote:@CuriousPortlander

As long as there is a gag order in place the flow of information to the news media will be restricted, but we will still get information about documents and court proceedings, e.g., motions, hearings, rulings, etc.

Good point! Thanks!

Autumn Klein Update: Daughter of Pittsburgh poisoning suspect to remain with victim's parents, judge rules
August 8, 2013 12:52 PM

Snipped:
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(CBS) PITTSBURGH - A judge says the 6-year-old daughter of Dr. Robert Ferrante, a University of Pittsburgh researcher who's charged with fatally poisoning his wife with cyanide, should remain in the custody of her maternal grandparents.

Allegheny County Judge David Cashman issued that order Wednesday after a closed-door custody hearing.

...

A preliminary hearing for Ferrante is scheduled for next month.
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Read more:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57597588-504083/autumn-klein-update-daughter-of-pittsburgh-poisoning-suspect-to-remain-with-victims-parents-judge-rules/

Autumn Klein Update: Maternal grandmother seeks child support from Pa. researcher accused in wife's cyanide killing
August 13, 2013 3:28 PM

Snipped:
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(CBS/AP) PITTSBURGH - The maternal grandmother of a 6-year-old girl is seeking child support from a University of Pittsburgh researcher jailed on charges he fatally poisoned his neurologist wife with cyanide.

...

A judge is to hear the grandmother's petition Sept. 18.
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Read more:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57598346-504083/autumn-klein-update-maternal-grandmother-seeks-child-support-from-pa-researcher-accused-in-wifes-cyanide-killing/

Judge removes man accused of poisoning wife with cyanide from suicide watch at jail
Published: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 , 1:54 p.m.  Updated: Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Snipped:
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The University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of fatally poisoning his wife with cyanide was moved to a mental health unit at the Allegheny County Jail on Tuesday under a judge's order.

Robert Ferrante, 64, had been on suicide watch when Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman restored his regular jail privileges and ordered him moved into a fifth-floor unit. No one could provide information about what triggered the suicide watch, which Cashman's order lifted.

...

Ferrante was jailed July 30 and awaits a preliminary hearing on Sept. 23. He pleaded not guilty.
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Read more:  http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4525946-74/ferrante-klein-child#axzz2cSgghgA3

POSTED ON OCTOBER 5, 2013 BY RSS FEED

PITT RESEARCHER CHARGED WITH POISONING WIFE WAIVES HEARING

A University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of poisoning his wife with cyanide waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday morning, a spokesman for the Allegheny County district attorney’s office said.

The preliminary hearing for Robert Ferrante, 64, had been set for Oct. 22. A formal arraignment is now scheduled for Nov. 6.

Mr. Ferrante is charged with one count of homicide in the April 20 death of Autumn Klein, a 41-year-old physician with UPMC. Klein collapsed in the couple’s Oakland home the night of April 17.

Read more:

http://pittsburgh.icito.com/tag/robert-ferrante/

D.A.’s Office Won’t Seek Death Penalty In Cyanide Poisoning Case
November 5, 2013 5:15 PM

Snipped:

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Robert Ferrante, a University of Pittsburgh researcher, won’t be facing the death penalty when he goes on trial in connection with the murder of his wife, 41-year-old Dr. Autumn Klein.

...The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office said quite simply the case doesn’t qualify as a death penalty case.
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Read more:  http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/11/05/d-a-s-office-wont-seek-death-penalty-in-cyanide-poisoning-case/

Attorney joins defense team in cyanide poisoning case
November 7, 2013 12:00 AM

Snipped:
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A new defense attorney has joined the team representing a former University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of killing his wife with cyanide.

Wendy L. Williams entered her appearance in the case against Robert Ferrante on Wednesday, noting that she would be joining as co-counsel to attorney William Difenderfer.
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Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2013/11/07/Attorney-joins-defense-team-in-cyanide-poisoning-case/stories/201311070310

Robert Ferrante, accused of poisoning his wife, can have some jail visitors, judge rules
November 7, 2013 11:30 AM

Snipped:
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A University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of killing his wife was given permission by the court this morning to have contact visits with a private investigator at the jail.

Robert Ferrante, 65, of Oakland, did not appear for the brief hearing before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning.

Defense attorney William Difenderfer said he expects his client  probably will only need two such visits.
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Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/breaking/2013/11/07/Robert-Ferrante-accused-of-poisoning-his-wife-can-have-some-jail-visitors-judge-rules/stories/201311070322

Warrants unsealed in Pittsburgh cyanide case, showing financial strain, talk of another child
November 7, 2013 2:23 PM

Snipped:
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Dozens of search warrants in the cyanide poisoning case against a Pitt researcher were unsealed today in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

...Later in the affidavit, dated May 28, district attorney Detective Jackelyn Weibel wrote: "It was learned from Ferrante that Klein was ordering fertility drugs from Canada in an attempt to save money and had asked the facility to delay on processing her credit card and check payments on more than one occasion. Due to [these] reasons, your affiant believes that the high cost of these IVF treatments (without any insurance coverage) may have been putting a strain on the family's finances."

...Detective Weibel also noted that "it was reported that Ferrante was not agreeable to or supportive in Klein's decision to attempt to have another child."
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Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2013/11/07/Search-warrants-unsealed-in-Pittsburgh-cyanide-case-showing-financial-strain-and-talk-of-another-child/stories/201311070331

Doctor accused of poisoning wife with cyanide had $30,000 cash stashed in a security box for his daughter from a previous marriage
PUBLISHED: 23:07 EST, 28 November 2013 | UPDATED: 23:40 EST, 28 November 2013

Snipped:
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A Pennsylvania doctor accused of poisoning his wife had more than $30,000 stashed in a safe when he was arrested, it emerged this week.

...The Allegheny County district attorney's office sought in September to obtain three items - a black iPhone, a set of keys and a Florida driver's license - seized by police when Ferrante was stopped on Interstate 77 near Beckley in July.

...Detective Lyle Graber said that the driver's license, obtained by Ferrante, could provide investigators with information 'necessary to indicate Ferrante's intention of permanently changing his residency from Pennsylvania to Florida prior to his arrest.'

Investigators previously said that Ferrante obtained two safety deposit boxes in the weeks after his wife's death. The one containing the $30,000 listed his adult daughter from another marriage as an owner.

Included with the warrant application unsealed Monday was a nine-page report from the West Virginia State Police that listed additional items they found when they stopped Ferrante, including cash, a silver trinket with a clover leaf, several debit or credit cards and Klein's dental insurance card.
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Read more:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2515382/Robert-Ferrante-Doctor-accused-poisoning-wife-cyanide-30-000-cash-stashed-security-box-daughter-previous-marriage.html

Judge unfreezes assets of jailed Pittsburgh doctor

Robert Ferrante charged with killing wife Autumn Klein

UPDATED 9:13 PM EST Feb 12, 2014


Robert Ferrante

PITTSBURGH —A judge says that a University of Pittsburgh medical researcher jailed on charges he fatally poisoned his neurologist wife with cyanide can use money in his own bank accounts to pay for his defense

Judge Jeffrey Manning ruled Wednesday that 65-year-old Dr. Robert Ferrante can use about $2.2 million in several bank accounts without the court's approval. Allegheny County prosecutors argued in a pretrial hearing Monday that the money should remain frozen unless the court specifically approves defense expenditures.

Read more:

http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/judge-to-weigh-unfreezing-robert-ferrante-assets/-/10927008/24386024/-/qr7q9l/-/index.html#ixzz35c3m9l4f

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Out-Of-County Jury To Be Used In Trial For Doctor Accused Of Wife’s Cyanide Death

By David Highfield
May 6, 2014 5:08 PM

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Dr. Robert Ferrante will still be tried in the Allegheny County Courthouse, but the jury that will hear his case will come from a different county.

A few weeks ago, his defense team requested an out of county jury and today the trial judge granted the defense request.

Ferrante is accused of giving his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, cyanide last April in their Oakland home. She died three days later.

Publicity surrounding the case included search warrants for the defendant’s computer records researching medical procedures and traces of toxins in the body.

That kind of publicity caused to judge to tests local jury pools. A test in February found that 36 of 78 potential jurors heard of the case – 13 had fixed opinions.

Last week: 50 of 67 heard of the case – 35 had fixed opinions.

Today: 44 of 79 heard of the case – 32 had fixed opinions.

That was enough to convince the judge to bring in an out-of-county jury.

Defense attorney Blaine Jones, who is not affiliated with the Ferrante case, says that decision is always made out of an abundance of caution.

Read more:

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/05/06/out-of-county-jury-to-be-used-in-trial-for-doctor-accused-in-wifes-cyanide-death/

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Jury To Be Brought In From Dauphin Co. To Hear Cyanide Poisoning Case

May 27, 2014 12:00 PM


Photo Credit: KDKA

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The jury hearing the case against Dr. Robert Ferrante, the Pitt medical researcher accused in the cyanide poisoning death of his wife, will be chose from Dauphin County.

That comes from the ruling by Pennsylvania Supreme County Justice Ronald Castille.

Ferrante is accused of giving his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, cyanide last April. She died three days later.

His defense team requested an out-of-county jury hear the case; and earlier this month, the request was granted.

Read more:

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/05/27/jury-to-be-brought-in-from-dauphin-co-to-hear-cyanide-poisoning-case/

I get angry looking at the photos of this "highly respected" doctor.  He looks too "picture perfect" to be a murderer who was so cold and calculating in planning his his wife's sudden unexplicable death. This man has plenty of money to hire the best defense team.  It will likely be next year before a jury arrives at a decision.  I am glad this guy is in jail, but he doesn't look "scruffy" enough.  I no longer have faith in our legal system.  I hope this jury isn't impressed by credentials.

Cyanide suspect's suicide letter discovered
June 6, 2014 11:34 PM

Snipped:
-----
A University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of using cyanide to kill his wife last year wrote and signed a suicide letter, although investigators later discovered it shredded and discarded during a search of his Oakland home.

The suicide note was among several new pieces of information revealed Friday in an affidavit of probable cause for a search warrant obtained just last month, as part of the investigation into the death of Autumn Klein on April 20, 2013.

The others included new details from the time period police say Robert Ferrante obtained the cyanide through his Pitt lab, as well as information that he allegedly lied to his assistant about a separate missing neurotoxin.
-----

Read more:http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/06/07/Cyanide-suspects-Robert-Ferrante-suicide-letter-discovered/stories/201406070049

I think the shredded suicide letter was another planted ploy from this deadly evil doctor.  A just in case piece of evidence, as he was so sure he was going to get away with murder.    

He was so confident that he didn't cover his tracks very well.  I wouldn't be surprised if that locked safe held nothing to incriminate him, it was left there and left bare, as an obstacle or decoy for the prosecution.  

DA asks judge to reject motions from Pitt researcher accused in poisoning

By Aaron Aupperlee

Published: Friday, June 6, 2014, 5:06 p.m.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office asked a judge to deny 80 motions to suppress evidence made by the attorneys for the University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of fatally poisoning his wife with cyanide, according to court documents filed on Friday.

Assistant District Attorney Lisa M. Pellegrini argued that Robert Ferrante, and his attorneys do not have standing to challenge most of the search warrants, subpoenas and affidavits in the case and the ones they can challenge were valid and should not be suppressed.

~Snipped~

Ferrante's attorneys Bill Difenderfer and Wendy Williams asked Allegheny Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning to throw out a majority of the evidence collected against their client. They claimed there was not enough evidence to obtain the search warrants and that Ferrante's constitutional rights had been violated.

Read more:

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6241732-74/ferrante-attorneys-evidence#ixzz34CGFFuCw

New search warrant issued in Pittsburgh cyanide case
August 26, 2014 11:50 PM

Snipped:
-----
Prosecutors trying the case of a University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of killing his wife with cyanide last year issued a new search warrant in the case Tuesday — just days after they learned from state police forensic examiners of evidence on the defendant’s laptop, which had been locked up in a safe seized in his office.

Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning sealed the warrant during a status conference in the case of Robert Ferrante before any of the details of it or the related computer evidence was revealed.

Mr. Ferrante’s trial on a single count of criminal homicide is set to begin Sept. 22 and will be heard from a jury chosen in Dauphin County. Jury selection is scheduled for Sept. 8.

-----

Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/08/26/Search-warrant-issued-cyanide-case-UPMC-researcher/stories/201408260212

Ferrante changes his mind, will have local jury in cyanide death trial
September 2, 2014 11:32 PM

Snipped:
-----
The case involving a University of Pittsburgh researcher who is accused of killing his wife with cyanide will be heard by an Allegheny County jury after all.

Jury selection from a pool of Dauphin County residents was due to begin Monday, with the criminal homicide trial of Robert Ferrante set to begin Sept. 22.

But Tuesday morning, Mr. Ferrante asked Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning to vacate his May order for an out-of-town jury.

...Jury selection in the case will begin Sept. 22, with the trial to follow.
-----

Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/public-safety/2014/09/02/Ferrante-changes-his-mind-and-will-have-local-jury-in-cyanide-death-trial/stories/201409020133

@CuriousPortlander

Thank you so much for all the updates. It is great to see you!

CuriousPortlander wrote:
Ferrante changes his mind, will have local jury in cyanide death trial
September 2, 2014 11:32 PM

Snipped:
-----
The case involving a University of Pittsburgh researcher who is accused of killing his wife with cyanide will be heard by an Allegheny County jury after all.

Jury selection from a pool of Dauphin County residents was due to begin Monday, with the criminal homicide trial of Robert Ferrante set to begin Sept. 22.

But Tuesday morning, Mr. Ferrante asked Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning to vacate his May order for an out-of-town jury.

...Jury selection in the case will begin Sept. 22, with the trial to follow.
-----

Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/public-safety/2014/09/02/Ferrante-changes-his-mind-and-will-have-local-jury-in-cyanide-death-trial/stories/201409020133

Interesting!

Ferrante's lawyer made a very compelling argument about media bias and the jury pool being tainted at Allegheny County because of the exposure to so much publicity  about the case and asked the judge to grant their motion to move the trial to another county or to import the jury from another county; the judge himself conducted some "experiments" to determine how much potential jurors from a jury pool in Allegheny County knew about the Cyanide poisoning case. The judge concluded that they knew quite " a lot" and granted the defense's motion.

Now Ferrante, and his lawyer,  believe that it is better to have a local jury? I wonder what prompted that decision. Perhaps "the good doctor" believes that "being a pillar of the community" can somewhat influence the jury in his favor, or that it might be easier "to walk" in his own county?

Alessandra_Deux wrote:@CuriousPortlander

Thank you so much for all the updates.  It is great to see you!

You are very welcome!  Great to see you, too!  

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

CuriousPortlander wrote:
Ferrante changes his mind, will have local jury in cyanide death trial
September 2, 2014 11:32 PM

Snipped:
-----
The case involving a University of Pittsburgh researcher who is accused of killing his wife with cyanide will be heard by an Allegheny County jury after all.

Jury selection from a pool of Dauphin County residents was due to begin Monday, with the criminal homicide trial of Robert Ferrante set to begin Sept. 22.

But Tuesday morning, Mr. Ferrante asked Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning to vacate his May order for an out-of-town jury.

...Jury selection in the case will begin Sept. 22, with the trial to follow.
-----

Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/public-safety/2014/09/02/Ferrante-changes-his-mind-and-will-have-local-jury-in-cyanide-death-trial/stories/201409020133

Interesting!

Ferrante's lawyer made a very compelling argument about media bias and the jury pool being tainted at Allegheny County because of the exposure to so much publicity  about the case and asked the judge to grant their motion to move the trial to another county or to import the jury from another county; the judge himself conducted some "experiments" to determine how much potential jurors from a jury pool in Allegheny County knew about the Cyanide poisoning case. The judge concluded that they knew quite " a lot" and granted the defense's motion.

Now Ferrante, and his lawyer,  believe that it is better to have a local jury? I wonder what prompted that decision. Perhaps "the good doctor" believes that "being a pillar of the community" can somewhat influence the jury in his favor, or that it might be easier "to walk" in his own county?

Good question.  This article talks about why they changed their minds:

http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Local-jury-to-hear-cyanide-death-case-5729962.php

Snipped:
-----
Manning earlier in the year polled the county jury pool three times and found that of 224 potential jurors, 130 had read or heard about the case and 80 had formed a fixed opinion. He said in May that he was reluctant to bring in an out-of-town jury due to the expense, but felt it was appropriate.

Defense attorney William Difenderfer said he had advised his client to withdraw his motion for an outside jury, and Ferrante said he was satisfied that a panel of jurors without fixed opinions on the case could be found in Allegheny County.
-----

Trial moved back for Pitt researcher accused in cyanide poisoning death
September 10, 2014 11:42 AM


The trial of Robert Ferrante, 65 — accused of poisoning his wife, Autumn Klein, at their home April 17, 2013 — has been postponed until Oct. 14, as the period of discovery is extended.

...“Obviously, neither side believes they have everything they're entitled to before we go to trial,” said Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning during a morning hearing held today to address two issues raised by the prosecution.

The judge said he expects jury selection will take two days, with testimony beginning Oct. 16. The trial had previously been set to begin with jury selection Sept. 22.


Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2014/09/10/Ferrante-cyanide-poisoning-trial-delayed/stories/201409100170

Cyanide murder trial delayed by experts' meeting
Updated: 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 | Posted: 1:32 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014


The murder trial of 65-year-old Dr. Robert Ferrante was to have begun with jury selection on Oct. 14, but that will begin Oct. 21. .

(BBM)

Read more:  http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/cyanide-murder-trial-delayed-experts-meeting/nhNjR/

Judge rules on defense motions in Ferrante case
October 7, 2014 12:00 AM


The Allegheny County district attorney’s office can use a computer animation as part of its case against University of Pittsburgh researcher Robert Ferrante.

Attorneys for Mr. Ferrante filed a motion late Friday objecting to the animation proposed to be used at his criminal homicide trial, scheduled to begin with jury selection Oct. 21.

...The defense on Friday also asked that discovery be closed — meaning the prosecution can no longer gather information against Mr. Ferrante that has not already been provided to his attorneys.

“If the commonwealth continues to produce voluminous amounts of discovery material at this late date, defense counsel will be unable to satisfactorily prepare for trial, necessitating a motion for a continuance,” the defense wrote.

Read more:  http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/10/07/Judge-rules-on-defense-motions-in-Ferrante-case/stories/201410070048

Judge will allow prosecution's computer animation in Ferrante homicide trial
Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, 4:15 p.m.


An Allegheny County judge will allow prosecutors to play a computer-generated animated video to help jurors hearing the case of the University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of fatally poisoning his wife understand how cyanide harms the human body, according to an order filed Monday.

...Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pellegrini requested permission to play the animation at a hearing last month. Pellegrini said it will accompany testimony by Dr. Christopher Holstege, director of the division of toxicology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, who will narrate the video “to explain to the jury how the sounds of respiration distress heard on the 911 call relate to cyanide poisoning.”

Read more:  http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6920321-74/ferrante-trial-judge#axzz3GSgSo6kO

CuriousPortlander wrote:
Judge will allow prosecution's computer animation in Ferrante homicide trial
Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, 4:15 p.m.


An Allegheny County judge will allow prosecutors to play a computer-generated animated video to help jurors hearing the case of the University of Pittsburgh researcher accused of fatally poisoning his wife understand how cyanide harms the human body, according to an order filed Monday.

...Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pellegrini requested permission to play the animation at a hearing last month. Pellegrini said it will accompany testimony by Dr. Christopher Holstege, director of the division of toxicology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, who will narrate the video “to explain to the jury how the sounds of respiration distress heard on the 911 call relate to cyanide poisoning.”

Read more:  http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/6920321-74/ferrante-trial-judge#axzz3GSgSo6kO

Wow! That will be interesting to learn. Thanks CP.
Gosh, this poor lady lingered on for 3 days??? What a nightmare of pain this must have been.

The Ferrante trial: Inside the cyanide poisoning case

October 19, 2014 12:00 AM

By Paula Reed Ward / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Allegheny County Courthouse  --  Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette

The background

Autumn Marie Klein, a rising star in the field of neurology and obstetrics, collapsed in her home on April 17, 2013.

Dr. Klein's husband, Robert Ferrante, is charged with killing her, facing a single count of criminal homicide. He denies any involvement.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/10/19/The-Ferrante-trial-Inside-the-Autumn-Marie-Klein-cyanide-poisoning-case-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201410190091

Trial for Robert Ferrante, charged with killing wife with cyanide, opens this week

October 19, 2014 12:00 AM

By Paula Reed Ward / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Robert Ferrante, center, leaves the Allegheny County Courthouse after a hearing Jan. 10. Paula Ward/Post-Gazette

~Snipped~

Robert Ferrante is charged with killing Dr. Klein, and jury selection in his trial is set to begin Tuesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. He faces a single count of criminal homicide.

Mr. Ferrante denies any involvement.

Prosecutors are expected to call about 60 witnesses in the case before Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, including emergency medical personnel who treated Dr. Klein after her collapse at her Oakland home on April 17, 2013, former colleagues and friends, as well as investigators and experts.

The trial is expected to take about four weeks, and the judge plans to seat 12 jurors and two alternates.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/10/19/Trial-for-Robert-Ferrante-charged-with-killing-wife-Autumn-Marie-Klein-with-cyanide-opens-this-week/stories/201410190081

Cyanide homicide trial of Dr. Robert Ferrante shall be a battle of legal titans

Posted on  Oct 19 2014 - 1:37pm  by Charles Omedo

By October 21, 2014 the homicide trial of Dr. Robert Ferrante, a medical researcher at the University of Pittsburgh who has been alleged to have killed his wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, chief of women’s neurology also at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, with cyanide will commence soon, and the trial has the hallmarks of a celebrated case between legal luminaries within the US.

Klein died April 2013, a few days after Ferrante used his school-issued credit card to buy over a half-pound of cyanide which detectives found killed the deceased. Police detectives believe Ferrante poisoned his wife with a cyanide-laced energy drink and then had her cremated after her death – but not before lab scientists had run tests on Klein’s blood and come to the conclusion that she was poisoned with cyanide.

But much more than that, detectives have reasons to believe that some person used Ferrante’s computer to search whether the treatment she got when she initially fell ill by the poisoning would remove the cyanide from her system. Ferrante was a leading researcher on Lou Gehrig’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and would not have been questioned what he wanted cyanide for, although detectives still found the substance’s use was not related to the research he was conducting at the moment.

According to John Burkoff, a law professor monitoring the case, “If the defense doesn’t have some credible medical evidence to dispute the prosecution’s evidence, they’re in pretty bad shape. The biggest thing that makes me curious is what expert testimony the defense will have on the cyanide evidence. If you find there’s a substantial amount of cyanide in her system, and that he had access to cyanide, well, that’s pretty much it.”

But then Ferrante’s defense lawyers have hired the services of Cyril Wecht, an 83-year old forensic pathologist and former Allegheny County coroner who is a national consultant on famous death cases like those of Elvis Presley and JonBenet Ramsey among others ....

Read more:

http://thewestsidestory.net/2014/10/19/19096/cyanide-homicide-trial-dr-robert-ferrante-shall-battle-legal-titans/

Alessandra_Deux wrote:Cyanide homicide trial of Dr. Robert Ferrante shall be a battle of legal titans

Posted on  Oct 19 2014 - 1:37pm  by Charles Omedo

~Snipped for space

According to John Burkoff, a law professor monitoring the case, “If the defense doesn’t have some credible medical evidence to dispute the prosecution’s evidence, they’re in pretty bad shape. The biggest thing that makes me curious is what expert testimony the defense will have on the cyanide evidence. If you find there’s a substantial amount of cyanide in her system, and that he had access to cyanide, well, that’s pretty much it.”

But then Ferrante’s defense lawyers have hired the services of Cyril Wecht, an 83-year old forensic pathologist and former Allegheny County coroner who is a national consultant on famous death cases like those of Elvis Presley and JonBenet Ramsey among others ....

Read more:

http://thewestsidestory.net/2014/10/19/19096/cyanide-homicide-trial-dr-robert-ferrante-shall-battle-legal-titans/

Well, well, well!  This should be interesting.

Does anyone know yet if this trial will be live-streamed?

Thanks for the updates, Alessandra!

The trial is suppose to start today at 1:30 eastern time. I'm not having any luck finding a live stream.

Trial starts for Pittsburgh professor accused of poisoning wife

By Elizabeth Daley

PITTSBURGH  Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:05pm EDT


(Reuters) - The trial of a Pittsburgh professor charged with poisoning his physician wife began on Thursday with a prosecutor saying the suspect had been one phone call away from "the perfect murder."

Dr. Robert Ferrante, 66, who taught neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, faces a homicide charge in the death of his wife, Autumn Klein, 41.

~Snipped~

During opening arguments, prosecutor Lisa Pellegrini said the suspected murder might have gone undetected if a doctor had not called the medical examiner after noticing that cyanide had turned up in Klein's lab tests delivered after she died.

Ferrante "was one phone call away with getting away with the perfect murder," Pellegrini told jurors in Allegheny County Court.

Pellegrini said Ferrante suspected his wife was having an affair and had ordered cyanide for his lab in the days before Klein fell ill.

But Ferrante's defense attorney, William Difenderfer, questioned whether anyone trying to murder his wife would order supplies to commit the crime through his job.

Read more:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/23/us-usa-pennsylvania-cyanide-idUSKCN0IC2P720141023

By Crimesider Staff / CBS/AP / October 23, 2014, 5:01 PM

Trial begins for researcher accused of poisoning doctor wife

PITTSBURGH - Jurors heard from prosecution and defense attorneys - and then from a dying woman herself - at the start of a homicide trial for a University of Pittsburgh researcher charged with poisoning his wife.

The prosecution says 41-year-old Dr. Autumn Klein can be heard "gasping and groaning and moaning and dying" on the 911 call by her husband, Dr. Robert Ferrante.

Attorneys for the 66-year-old researcher contend that Ferrante did not poison his wife, a neurologist. He also says medical experts will show she wasn't poisoned by anyone and died of unexplained causes.

The jury heard the frantic 911 call from the first witness, an emergency dispatcher.

Read more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trial-begins-for-researcher-accused-of-poisoning-doctor-wife/