Late Slipknot Bassist Paul Gray’s Doctor Acquitted of Involuntary Manslaughter Charges
A verdict has been reached in the involuntary manslaughter case involving Daniel Baldi, who was accused of recklessly prescribing medications to late Slipknot bassist Paul Gray and six other patients. After two counts of involuntary manslaughter were thrown out by the judge midway through the trial, Baldi has been acquitted of the remaining seven counts following a two-day deliberation by the jury.
As we reported, some of the most striking testimony in the trial came from Paul Gray's widow Brenna, who broke down in tears while talking about the Slipknot bassist's drug addiction, even claiming that none of his bandmates came to his aid during his final days. While frontman Corey Taylor and percussionist Shawn 'Clown' Crahan were on a list of potential witnesses, they were never called to the stand.
According to the Des Moines Register, Baldi himself didn't testify during the trial, but after the not-guilty verdicts, the physician addressed reporters outside the Polk County, Iowa, courtroom as follows: "I can turn this chapter over and start another part of my life. We've got some other chapters to take care of. I love practicing. I love medicine. And I love everything that's associated with it."
While Baldi has been cleared of criminal charges in this trial, he still faces several malpractice lawsuits.
Paul Gray died on May 24, 2010, of an overdose of morphine and fentanyl. He has not been replaced in Slipknot, with Donnie Steele serving as the band's touring bassist. Slipknot are at work on their first album since Gray's passing.
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