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Linda Tant Miller

MURDERED BY TEXAS

BRYAN ALEXANDER

by JIM DOUGLAS
WFAA-TV, Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
June 28, 2002

A former Mansfield boot camp nurse accused in a teenager's death was convicted Friday of negligent homicide.

The verdict caps a two-week trial that sent shock waves through other nursing professionals.

Registered nurse Knyvett Jane Reyes of Arlington had been charged with two counts of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of 18-year-old Bryan Alexander, who had been serving time at the Tarrant County Community Corrections Facility on a drunk driving conviction.

Senior District Judge C.C. "Kit" Cooke found her guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" of the second, lesser charge.

Ms. Reyes stood stunned before the court as the verdict was announced. She testified that she treated Mr. Alexander to the best of her ability. But Judge Cooke found she failed in her duty to give Mr. Alexander the proper tests and care that might have saved him from a rare and deadly form of bacterial pneumonia.

He died on Jan. 6, 2001, two days after alerting boot camp officials that he was feeling ill. An autopsy showed the pneumonia was triggered by a staph infection.

Mr. Alexander's mother, Judy Schumpert, sobbed in gratitude that someone had finally heard her son's pleas for help.

Rick Alexander, the dead teen's father, said Ms. Reyes' portrayal of the events leading up to the death did not ring true. "I didn't buy it," he said. "I knew in my heart, I just couldn't believe it."

But nurses who supported Ms. Reyes continue to stand behind her. "This really should send a message to the medical profession and nurses across America," said Diana Reynolds, a registered nurse.

Ms. Reyes should be able to win release quickly on a $10,000 bond while the judge decides on her punishment.

Penalties for criminally negligent homicide range from probation to two years in jail. Either way, a felony conviction will remain on her record.

A civil wrongful death case is pending against Correctional Services Corp., the private firm which runs the Mansfield boot camp.

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