Dr. Robert A. Weitzel, a former local psychiatrist, was arrested in Bay City, Texas, Tuesday night after a warrant was issued by a 2nd District judge in connection with the death of five elderly patients. Weitzel was arrested at the Bay City municipal airport shortly after 9 p.m. after his private plane landed there.
Bay City is located south of Houston near the Gulf of Mexico.
That's why we asked for a higher bail. It's a serious charge and he has no significant ties in Utah. Wilson said he doubts Weitzel will fight extradition and could come to Utah on his own. Weitzel's attorney in Utah, Peter Stirba, could not be reached for comment but has denied all charges in the past and has filed suit on Weitzel's behalf against the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing for making the case public. Dave Jones, a spokesman from Davis Hospital, owned by Paracelsus Health Care, noted that Paracelsus did not own the hospital at that time and that Paracelsus has cooperated with investigators.