Woman files wrongful death lawsuit in daughter's death - Zoloft

[Guest guest]

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/13359793.htm

Posted on Thu, Dec. 08, 2005

Woman files wrongful death lawsuit in daughter's death

Associated Press

MINOT, N.D. - A woman whose daughter was shot to death here in 2003 has

filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man convicted in the killing, his

parents and the makers of the drug Zoloft.

's lawsuit alleges Zachary Schmidkunz's parents, Rhonda and

Gail Schmidkunz, should have known about his depression and suicidal

thoughts and kept him away from a shotgun. It also claims Pfizer Inc., the

maker of the antidepressant drug Zoloft, knew of but failed to warn that

Zoloft's side effects could lead to uncontrollable rage in young patients.

is seeking unspecified damages.

Her daughter, is Walter, was shot to death in November 2003, in the

family room of the Schmidkunz home. Zachary Schmidkunz was convicted of

killing her and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The use of Zoloft also was the basis of Schmidkunz's defense during his

two-week trial in December 2004. He testified he had taken Zoloft for 18

days and then ended its use, except for one he thought he took the day

before he killed Walter.

The defense argued that a number of things came together, including the

withdrawal from Zoloft, the consumption of a beer and a statement Walter

made to him, to send Schmidkunz into a rage that led to the shooting.

An expert witness for the prosecution, Roerig of Fargo, testified that

antidepressant drugs do not cause aggression unless the people taking them

have prior underlying problems. He also said a patient would have to have

taken the drug longer than Schmidkunz did.

Roerig testified that in his opinion, " Zoloft didn't play a role in this

incident. I don't see any way it could have been involved in this incident. "

Zoloft is the most widely prescribed antidepressant in the United States.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration ordered Zoloft and other

antidepressants to carry warnings about an increased risk of suicidal

behavior in children.

Pfizer has fought other cases claiming antidepressants cause violent or

suicidal behavior, and has said it is a safe and effective drug when used as

prescribed.

[Guest guest]

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/13359793.htm

Posted on Thu, Dec. 08, 2005

Woman files wrongful death lawsuit in daughter's death

Associated Press

MINOT, N.D. - A woman whose daughter was shot to death here in 2003 has

filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man convicted in the killing, his

parents and the makers of the drug Zoloft.

's lawsuit alleges Zachary Schmidkunz's parents, Rhonda and

Gail Schmidkunz, should have known about his depression and suicidal

thoughts and kept him away from a shotgun. It also claims Pfizer Inc., the

maker of the antidepressant drug Zoloft, knew of but failed to warn that

Zoloft's side effects could lead to uncontrollable rage in young patients.

is seeking unspecified damages.

Her daughter, is Walter, was shot to death in November 2003, in the

family room of the Schmidkunz home. Zachary Schmidkunz was convicted of

killing her and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The use of Zoloft also was the basis of Schmidkunz's defense during his

two-week trial in December 2004. He testified he had taken Zoloft for 18

days and then ended its use, except for one he thought he took the day

before he killed Walter.

The defense argued that a number of things came together, including the

withdrawal from Zoloft, the consumption of a beer and a statement Walter

made to him, to send Schmidkunz into a rage that led to the shooting.

An expert witness for the prosecution, Roerig of Fargo, testified that

antidepressant drugs do not cause aggression unless the people taking them

have prior underlying problems. He also said a patient would have to have

taken the drug longer than Schmidkunz did.

Roerig testified that in his opinion, " Zoloft didn't play a role in this

incident. I don't see any way it could have been involved in this incident. "

Zoloft is the most widely prescribed antidepressant in the United States.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration ordered Zoloft and other

antidepressants to carry warnings about an increased risk of suicidal

behavior in children.

Pfizer has fought other cases claiming antidepressants cause violent or

suicidal behavior, and has said it is a safe and effective drug when used as

prescribed.

[Guest guest]

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/13359793.htm

Posted on Thu, Dec. 08, 2005

Woman files wrongful death lawsuit in daughter's death

Associated Press

MINOT, N.D. - A woman whose daughter was shot to death here in 2003 has

filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man convicted in the killing, his

parents and the makers of the drug Zoloft.

's lawsuit alleges Zachary Schmidkunz's parents, Rhonda and

Gail Schmidkunz, should have known about his depression and suicidal

thoughts and kept him away from a shotgun. It also claims Pfizer Inc., the

maker of the antidepressant drug Zoloft, knew of but failed to warn that

Zoloft's side effects could lead to uncontrollable rage in young patients.

is seeking unspecified damages.

Her daughter, is Walter, was shot to death in November 2003, in the

family room of the Schmidkunz home. Zachary Schmidkunz was convicted of

killing her and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The use of Zoloft also was the basis of Schmidkunz's defense during his

two-week trial in December 2004. He testified he had taken Zoloft for 18

days and then ended its use, except for one he thought he took the day

before he killed Walter.

The defense argued that a number of things came together, including the

withdrawal from Zoloft, the consumption of a beer and a statement Walter

made to him, to send Schmidkunz into a rage that led to the shooting.

An expert witness for the prosecution, Roerig of Fargo, testified that

antidepressant drugs do not cause aggression unless the people taking them

have prior underlying problems. He also said a patient would have to have

taken the drug longer than Schmidkunz did.

Roerig testified that in his opinion, " Zoloft didn't play a role in this

incident. I don't see any way it could have been involved in this incident. "

Zoloft is the most widely prescribed antidepressant in the United States.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration ordered Zoloft and other

antidepressants to carry warnings about an increased risk of suicidal

behavior in children.

Pfizer has fought other cases claiming antidepressants cause violent or

suicidal behavior, and has said it is a safe and effective drug when used as

prescribed.

[Guest guest]

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/13359793.htm

Posted on Thu, Dec. 08, 2005

Woman files wrongful death lawsuit in daughter's death

Associated Press

MINOT, N.D. - A woman whose daughter was shot to death here in 2003 has

filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man convicted in the killing, his

parents and the makers of the drug Zoloft.

's lawsuit alleges Zachary Schmidkunz's parents, Rhonda and

Gail Schmidkunz, should have known about his depression and suicidal

thoughts and kept him away from a shotgun. It also claims Pfizer Inc., the

maker of the antidepressant drug Zoloft, knew of but failed to warn that

Zoloft's side effects could lead to uncontrollable rage in young patients.

is seeking unspecified damages.

Her daughter, is Walter, was shot to death in November 2003, in the

family room of the Schmidkunz home. Zachary Schmidkunz was convicted of

killing her and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The use of Zoloft also was the basis of Schmidkunz's defense during his

two-week trial in December 2004. He testified he had taken Zoloft for 18

days and then ended its use, except for one he thought he took the day

before he killed Walter.

The defense argued that a number of things came together, including the

withdrawal from Zoloft, the consumption of a beer and a statement Walter

made to him, to send Schmidkunz into a rage that led to the shooting.

An expert witness for the prosecution, Roerig of Fargo, testified that

antidepressant drugs do not cause aggression unless the people taking them

have prior underlying problems. He also said a patient would have to have

taken the drug longer than Schmidkunz did.

Roerig testified that in his opinion, " Zoloft didn't play a role in this

incident. I don't see any way it could have been involved in this incident. "

Zoloft is the most widely prescribed antidepressant in the United States.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration ordered Zoloft and other

antidepressants to carry warnings about an increased risk of suicidal

behavior in children.

Pfizer has fought other cases claiming antidepressants cause violent or

suicidal behavior, and has said it is a safe and effective drug when used as

prescribed.