Montco Dentist Will Go to Trial for Ocean Dumping of Medical Waste

http://www.kyw1060.com/Montco-Dentist-Will-Go-to-Trial-for-Ocean-Dumping/4360549

by KYW's David Madden

A Montgomery County, Pa. dentist charged with disposing of medical waste in the ocean has been rejected in his bid to enter a program that would have avoided a criminal trial.

Thomas McFarland, 60, conceded in court in Cape May County, NJ that he dumped needles, cotton swabs, and other items that washed up on the beaches of Avalon, closing them on five different days in late August of last year (see previous stories).

His attorney, Joseph Rodgers, suggests it the act of a desperate man whose wife had cancer:

"This was entirely a manifestation of an undiagnosed and untreated psychiatric condition, not greed, not trying to save a buck."

In fact, the doctor has indicated a willingness to pay the approximately $70,000 that Avalon is seeking in restitution.

FULL story at link.