Megan Haines: Difference between revisions

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Police raided Haines's home but the investigation faltered as no missing items were recovered, although she was charged with drug possession after cannabis was found.<ref name=SMHHistory/> The Nursing Board of Victoria revoked her licence that year.<ref name=investigated/>

Other investigations included a claim she failed to care for a patient whilst nursing at Box Hill Hospital in 2007.<ref name=SMHHistory/> That year the Nursing Board of Victoria described that as "unprofessional conduct of a serious nature" and mandated ethics training.<ref name=investigated/> She was also accused of shoving or slapping a patient at Caulfield Medical Centre the same year.<ref name=SMHHistory/> Finally, and also in 2007, an allegation was made Haines sent text messages threatening to illicitly access confidential records of patients at Maroondah Hospital.<ref name=NewHerald/> This case was substantiated by the Nursing Board of Victoria after four years.<ref name=investigated/>

In 2009 she asked the Nursing Board of Victoria to reinstate her licence but the ongoing investigation into the Maroondah Hospital prevented this.<ref name=SMHHistory/> In 2012 she tried again after the Nursing Board of Victoria was abolished and replaced by the federal Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which reinstated her licence with the restrictions.<ref name=SMHHistory/> Her restricted licence initially hampered her ability to find work until she landed her final position, where she would commit the murders.<ref name=investigated/>

In April 2014 she began work at the St Andrews Village nursing home in Ballina, on the North Coast of New South Wales.<ref name=SMHknew/> The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has records of Haines registered as a nurse in Ballina since February 10, 2012.<ref name=StarAppears/>

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==Murders==

Upon arrival for a May 9, 2014 night shift at St Andrews Village Haines was informed of the complaints by Darragh and Spencer, and that a third complaint was pending.<ref name=SMHjailed/> Darragh and Spencer were found unresponsive by staff the following morning from apparent strokes.<ref name=SMHjailed/> Emergency services rushed to the scene but both died before help arrived.<ref name=StarAppears/> They were later formally declared dead in hospital.<ref name=SCDLismore>[https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/woman-accused-ballina-murders-lismore-trial/3019111/ Woman accused of Ballina murders to face Lismore trial] - Chris Calcino writing for ''The Sunshine Couast Daily'', May 2016</ref> A third resident, Marjorie Patterson, 88, complained of waking during the same night to find Haines assaulting her by giving her unneeded painkillers.<ref name=ABCbail/><ref name=StarAppears/> Police believe she would have died had she not woken.<ref name=SMHallegedly>[http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nurse-megan-haines-allegedly-killed-patients-after-complaints-against-her-20140708-zt0a5.html Nurse Megan Haines allegedly killed patients after complaints against her] - Rose Powell writing for ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', July 2014</ref> A May 13 meeting was meanwhile set up between Haines and her managers to discuss the complaints against her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Routine tests showed insulin had been injected into both victims, poisoning them, and on May 15 detectives arrived at Haines's North Coast home to search it and question her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Detectives from Sydney's homicide team and Richmond Local Area Command combined forces to form Strike Force Odimi to investigate the attacks on sleeping elderly women.<ref name=StarAppears/> The only injuries on the deceased were needle marks on their arms.<ref name=SMHallegedly/>

Upon arrival for a May 9, 2014 night shift at St Andrews Village Haines was informed of the complaints by Darragh and Spencer, and that a third complaint was pending.<ref name=SMHjailed/> It was her sixth shift at the facility and she was reminded of the restrictions on her licence.<ref name=SMHHistory/> Darragh and Spencer were found unresponsive by staff the following morning from apparent strokes.<ref name=SMHjailed/> Emergency services rushed to the scene but both died before help arrived.<ref name=StarAppears/> They were later formally declared dead in hospital.<ref name=SCDLismore>[https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/woman-accused-ballina-murders-lismore-trial/3019111/ Woman accused of Ballina murders to face Lismore trial] - Chris Calcino writing for ''The Sunshine Couast Daily'', May 2016</ref> A third resident, Marjorie Patterson, 88, complained of waking during the same night to find Haines assaulting her by giving her unneeded painkillers.<ref name=ABCbail/><ref name=StarAppears/> Police believe she would have died had she not woken.<ref name=SMHallegedly>[http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nurse-megan-haines-allegedly-killed-patients-after-complaints-against-her-20140708-zt0a5.html Nurse Megan Haines allegedly killed patients after complaints against her] - Rose Powell writing for ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', July 2014</ref> A May 13 meeting was meanwhile set up between Haines and her managers to discuss the complaints against her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Routine tests showed insulin had been injected into both victims, poisoning them, and on May 15 detectives arrived at Haines's North Coast home to search it and question her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Detectives from Sydney's homicide team and Richmond Local Area Command combined forces to form Strike Force Odimi to investigate the attacks on sleeping elderly women.<ref name=StarAppears/> The only injuries on the deceased were needle marks on their arms.<ref name=SMHallegedly/>

==Legal process==

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Haines admitted in the witness box being in Darragh's room the night she died, saying noises were heard coming from the room and she attended with a colleague.<ref name=ABCGuilty>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-03/nurse-guilty-of-murdering-two-patients-nursing-home-ballina/7987084 Ballina nursing home deaths: Megan Haines guilty of murdering two patients with fatal insulin dose], ABC, November 2016</ref> She told the court she "did not inject anyone".<ref name=GuardianGuilty>[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/03/former-nurse-found-guilty-of-2014-of-two-women-in-ballina-retirement-village Former nurse found guilty of 2014 murder of two women in Ballina retirement village] - The Guardian, November 2016.</ref>

Campbell said the evidence showed an attempt to "eliminate the cause" of complaints that jeapordised her reinstated, restricted nursing licence but Edwards claimed had this been the case Patterson would also be dead and pointed out other staff had access to insulin.<ref name=GuardianGuilty/>

Campbell said the evidence showed an attempt to "eliminate the cause" of complaints that jeapordised her reinstated, restricted nursing licence but Edwards claimed had this been the case Patterson would also be dead and pointed out other staff had access to insulin.<ref name=GuardianGuilty/> Campbell however said only Haines had access at the time.<ref name=NewHerald>[https://www.theherald.com.au/story/4224868/nsw-nurse-megan-jean-haines-the-centre-of-misconduct-investigations-before-allegedly-killing-two-residents/?cs=12 NSW nurse Megan Jean Haines the centre of misconduct investigations before allegedly killing two residents ] by Ava Benny-Morrison republished in ''The Newcastle Herald'' following an initial publication in ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', October 2016</ref> The court heard evidence she was subject to complaints in Victoria<ref name=NewHerald/> but did not hear of the previous suspicion of poisoning and robbery.<ref name=SMHHistory/>

Haines was convicted on November 3, 2016 after just four hours of jury deliberations.<ref name=ABCGuilty/> She appeared emotionless during the verdict,<ref name=GuardianGuilty/> and then sat impassively in court while grieving families read victim impact statements.<ref name=GrannyKiller/>

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Police raided Haines's home but the investigation faltered as no missing items were recovered, although she was charged with drug possession after cannabis was found.<ref name=SMHHistory/> The Nursing Board of Victoria revoked her licence that year.<ref name=investigated/>
+Other investigations included a claim she failed to care for a patient whilst nursing at  Box Hill Hospital in 2007.<ref name=SMHHistory/> That year the Nursing Board of Victoria described that as "unprofessional conduct of a serious nature" and mandated ethics training.<ref name=investigated/> She was also accused of shoving or slapping a patient at Caulfield Medical Centre the same year.<ref name=SMHHistory/> Finally, and also in 2007, an allegation was made Haines sent text messages threatening to illicitly access confidential records of patients at Maroondah Hospital.<ref name=NewHerald/> This case was substantiated by the Nursing Board of Victoria after four years.<ref name=investigated/>
+In 2009 she asked the Nursing Board of Victoria to reinstate her licence but the ongoing investigation into the Maroondah Hospital prevented this.<ref name=SMHHistory/> In 2012 she tried again after the Nursing Board of Victoria was abolished and replaced by the federal Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which reinstated her licence with the restrictions.<ref name=SMHHistory/> Her restricted licence initially hampered her ability to find work until she landed her final position, where she would commit the murders.<ref name=investigated/>
 In April 2014 she began work at the St Andrews Village nursing home in Ballina, on the North Coast of New South Wales.<ref name=SMHknew/> The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has records of Haines registered as a nurse in Ballina since February 10, 2012.<ref name=StarAppears/>
@@ Line 14: / Line 18: @@
 ==Murders==
-Upon arrival for a May 9, 2014 night shift at St Andrews Village Haines was informed of the complaints by Darragh and Spencer, and that a third complaint was pending.<ref name=SMHjailed/> Darragh and Spencer were found unresponsive by staff the following morning from apparent strokes.<ref name=SMHjailed/> Emergency services rushed to the scene but both died before help arrived.<ref name=StarAppears/> They were later formally declared dead in hospital.<ref name=SCDLismore>[https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/woman-accused-ballina-murders-lismore-trial/3019111/ Woman accused of Ballina murders to face Lismore trial] - Chris Calcino writing for ''The Sunshine Couast Daily'', May 2016</ref> A third resident, Marjorie Patterson, 88, complained of waking during the same night to find Haines assaulting her by giving her unneeded painkillers.<ref name=ABCbail/><ref name=StarAppears/> Police believe she would have died had she not woken.<ref name=SMHallegedly>[http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nurse-megan-haines-allegedly-killed-patients-after-complaints-against-her-20140708-zt0a5.html Nurse Megan Haines allegedly killed patients after complaints against her] - Rose Powell writing for ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', July 2014</ref> A May 13 meeting was meanwhile set up between Haines and her managers to discuss the complaints against her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Routine tests showed insulin had been injected into both victims, poisoning them, and on May 15 detectives arrived at Haines's North Coast home to search it and question her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Detectives from Sydney's homicide team and Richmond Local Area Command combined forces to form Strike Force Odimi to investigate the attacks on sleeping elderly women.<ref name=StarAppears/> The only injuries on the deceased were needle marks on their arms.<ref name=SMHallegedly/>
+Upon arrival for a May 9, 2014 night shift at St Andrews Village Haines was informed of the complaints by Darragh and Spencer, and that a third complaint was pending.<ref name=SMHjailed/> It was her sixth shift at the facility and she was reminded of the restrictions on her licence.<ref name=SMHHistory/> Darragh and Spencer were found unresponsive by staff the following morning from apparent strokes.<ref name=SMHjailed/> Emergency services rushed to the scene but both died before help arrived.<ref name=StarAppears/> They were later formally declared dead in hospital.<ref name=SCDLismore>[https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/woman-accused-ballina-murders-lismore-trial/3019111/ Woman accused of Ballina murders to face Lismore trial] - Chris Calcino writing for ''The Sunshine Couast Daily'', May 2016</ref> A third resident, Marjorie Patterson, 88, complained of waking during the same night to find Haines assaulting her by giving her unneeded painkillers.<ref name=ABCbail/><ref name=StarAppears/> Police believe she would have died had she not woken.<ref name=SMHallegedly>[http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nurse-megan-haines-allegedly-killed-patients-after-complaints-against-her-20140708-zt0a5.html Nurse Megan Haines allegedly killed patients after complaints against her] - Rose Powell writing for ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', July 2014</ref> A May 13 meeting was meanwhile set up between Haines and her managers to discuss the complaints against her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Routine tests showed insulin had been injected into both victims, poisoning them, and on May 15 detectives arrived at Haines's North Coast home to search it and question her.<ref name=SMHknew/> Detectives from Sydney's homicide team and Richmond Local Area Command combined forces to form Strike Force Odimi to investigate the attacks on sleeping elderly women.<ref name=StarAppears/> The only injuries on the deceased were needle marks on their arms.<ref name=SMHallegedly/>
 ==Legal process==
@@ Line 38: / Line 42: @@
 Haines admitted in the witness box being in Darragh's room the night she died, saying noises were heard coming from the room and she attended with a colleague.<ref name=ABCGuilty>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-03/nurse-guilty-of-murdering-two-patients-nursing-home-ballina/7987084 Ballina nursing home deaths: Megan Haines guilty of murdering two patients with fatal insulin dose], ABC, November 2016</ref> She told the court she "did not inject anyone".<ref name=GuardianGuilty>[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/03/former-nurse-found-guilty-of-2014-of-two-women-in-ballina-retirement-village Former nurse found guilty of 2014 murder of two women in Ballina retirement village] - The Guardian, November 2016.</ref>
-Campbell said the evidence showed an attempt to "eliminate the cause" of complaints that jeapordised her reinstated, restricted nursing licence but Edwards claimed had this been the case Patterson would also be dead and pointed out other staff had access to insulin.<ref name=GuardianGuilty/>
+Campbell said the evidence showed an attempt to "eliminate the cause" of complaints that jeapordised her reinstated, restricted nursing licence but Edwards claimed had this been the case Patterson would also be dead and pointed out other staff had access to insulin.<ref name=GuardianGuilty/> Campbell however said only Haines had access at the time.<ref name=NewHerald>[https://www.theherald.com.au/story/4224868/nsw-nurse-megan-jean-haines-the-centre-of-misconduct-investigations-before-allegedly-killing-two-residents/?cs=12 NSW nurse Megan Jean Haines the centre of misconduct investigations before allegedly killing two residents ] by Ava Benny-Morrison republished in ''The Newcastle Herald'' following an initial publication in ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', October 2016</ref> The court heard evidence she was subject to complaints in Victoria<ref name=NewHerald/> but did not hear of the previous suspicion of poisoning and robbery.<ref name=SMHHistory/>
 Haines was convicted on November 3, 2016 after just four hours of jury deliberations.<ref name=ABCGuilty/> She appeared emotionless during the verdict,<ref name=GuardianGuilty/> and then sat impassively in court while grieving families read victim impact statements.<ref name=GrannyKiller/>