Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — In a Sept. 15 story about a convicted killer blaming the antidepressant Zoloft for his actions, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the Nebraska man successfully sued drug manufacturer Pfizer and the prescribing doctor in 2009. The lawsuit was unsuccessful.
A corrected version of the story is below:
Nebraska man blames Zoloft in girlfriend's 2002 killing
Nebraska man blames Zoloft in girlfriend's 2002 killing, wants judge to reconsider case
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man convicted of killing his girlfriend in 2002 is blaming an antidepressant for his actions and requesting his case be re-examined by a judge.
Randall Robbins pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Brittany Eurek and was sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison.
Robbins claims the antidepressant Zoloft, which was prescribed to him for depression in 2002 by a Lincoln doctor, played a key role in what was supposed to be a murder-suicide, the Lincoln Journal Star (http://bit.ly/1idyDj0) reported.
Attorney Rob Kortus of the Nebraska Commission of Public Advocacy, who's representing Robbins, said DNA testing conducted this year shows genetics prevents Robbins from metabolizing Zoloft as intended by its manufacturer. Kortus contends that can lead to violent outbursts and suicidal behavior, something the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned of in 2007, in young adults between 18 and 24 during initial treatment.
In 2009, Robbins unsuccessfully sued drug manufacturer Pfizer and the doctor who prescribed Zoloft to him.
He requested DNA testing in 2011, without providing a reason, and the request initially was denied but came up again in a motion for post-conviction relief. Robbins then specifically sought DNA Drug Reaction Profile Testing, using the state's DNA Testing Act, to determine whether he was among some 10 percent of people who are poor metabolizers of Zoloft.
Kortus plans to argue that the test results indicate that Robbins should be released from prison, granted a new trial or re-sentenced with the new evidence taken into consideration.
A judge could find that the evidence doesn't rise to the level to warrant any of those steps.
Briefs are expected to be submitted in October and November.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
