Sentencing for "killer nurse" Charles Cullen

Описание: (3 Mar 2006) SHOTLIST
AP Television
1. Wide exterior shot Somerset County Courthouse, Somerville New Jersey
2. Close up courthouse sign
POOL
3. Wide shot interior courtroom
4. SOUNDBITE (English) John Shanaer, son of victim:
"One day without you even knowing it, your life will end and what legacy will you have left behind sir, a serial murderer, a serial killer, you've ruined the lives of your family, your children and many people in this courtroom, you've bloodied and stained the medical profession, absolutely abhorrent what you did, sir."
5. Close up Charles Cullen
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Melissa Strenko, sister of victim Mike, Strenko
"And I still can't really comprehend it, a registered nurse who is supposed to be a caretaker, took the life of my brother, for his own personal, selfish, and twisted gain. Charles Cullen, you are a coward, I am very brave for standing here today, but you yet cannot even look me in the eye and face me."
7. Medium shot Cullen sitting next lawyer
8. Wide shot of judge and courtroom
10. Medium shot with zoom of Cullen standing, during sentencing
AP Television
11. SOUNDBITE (English): Relative of victim (no name given)
"No, all he cares about is himself and his own children, he doesn't care what he did to our children."
12. Close up courthouse sign
13. Medium shot Mary Strenko wiping rain off picture of her son (Mike Strenko), UPSOUND (English) "He finally can rest in peace"
STORYLINE:
A nurse who admitted to killing as many as 40 patients was sent to prison for the rest of his life on Thursday after relatives of his victims confronted him at a hearing, calling him "the monster" and blaming him for wrecking their lives.
Charles Cullen, 46, received 11 consecutive life terms in prison, making him ineligible for parole for nearly 400 years.
Superior Court Judge Paul Armstrong said Cullen had betrayed the foundations of the healing professions.
Cullen pleaded guilty to murdering 22 people in New Jersey and trying to kill three others.
He has claimed to have killed up to 40 people during a nursing career that began in 1987.
He will be sentenced later for seven murders and three attempted murders in Pennsylvania.
While some relatives of victims said they were satisfied with Cullen's sentence, others said it will not do much to end the turmoil felt by their families.
The sentence was handed down after relatives of his victims recalled fond memories of their loved ones, but also talked about how the killings and their aftermath ruined marriages, careers and report cards.
"You've ruined the lives of your family, your children and many people in this courtroom, you've bloodied and stained the medical profession" said John Shanaer, who is a son of one of Cullen's victims.
Thursday's hearing was the first chance for victims' relatives to confront Cullen in court, and about 60 appeared.
Many were also hoping to hear Cullen explain why he committed the crimes, but he did not.
Cullen, wearing a black sweater over a collared shirt, sat quietly during much of the hearing. As relatives of victims spoke, he kept his eyes closed, frustrating some of the relatives.
Melissa Strenko, who's brother was killed by Cullen, called him "a coward".
"I am very brave for standing here today, but you yet cannot even look me in the eye and face me." she said.
Cullen has admitted to using lethal doses of medications - most often the heart medication digoxin - to kill patients.
He told authorities when he was arrested in December 2003 that he killed "very sick" patients, but some of the patients were not critically ill.

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