Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Doctor found guilty of murder in overdose death

A Clark County District Court jury today has found Dr. Harriston Bass Jr. guilty of second-degree murder and of illegally selling controlled substances.

Bass was responsible for the death of 38-year-old Gina Micali, prosecutors said, because she overdosed in October 2005 on pain relievers that Bass illegally sold her.

Micali was found dead at her home from what athorities described as an accidental overdose of the pain reliever hydrocodone, which she was taking for a sports injury.

Bass, 54, became the focus of an investigation in March 2006 after police found prescription drug bottles at the scene of a suicide. Bass has prescribed the drugs to the victim, but he was not facing charges in that case.

Bass had his license suspended by the state Board of Medical Examiners on June 16, 2006. In the 1990s, the board placed him on three years probation after finding he didn't properly care for patients. He was ordered to take 120 hours of medical education and to have another physician help him in surgeries. But the state board learned he never took the 120 hours of medical education.

Bass faces sentencing on April 22. He could receive 10 to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder, one to five years for each of 46 counts of selling drugs and one to six years for six counts of possession of drugs.

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