Doctor convicted in Ohio painkiller OD deaths

COLUMBUS (AP) — A jury in Ohio has convicted a Chicago doctor on charges that he illegally distributed highly addictive pain pills, resulting in the deaths of four patients.

The verdict in federal court in Cincinnati on Monday was a victory for prosecutors trying to crack down on doctors' involvement in pain management clinics, cases that are often difficult to prove.

Dr. Paul Volkman was found guilty of 12 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and four counts of maintaining a drug premises.

Prosecutors had alleged Volkman caused the death of 12 patients, but jurors found enough evidence in only four of those.

Volkman declined to testify at trial and argued beforehand that he always acted in good faith.