File Photo: Fort Frances Courthouse (Randy Thoms / Acadia Broadcasting)
A former Fort Frances nurse will wait a bit longer before learning her sentence in connection with the death of a patient at LaVerendrye Hospital in 2015.
A sentencing hearing for Lindsay Coyle took place on Monday, but the day ended with the judge saying more time was needed.
No date has been set, but a September 12 meeting will take place to firm one up.
Coyle pled guilty almost a year ago to criminal negligence causing death.
She was initially charged with second-degree murder of Hermina Fletcher before it was reduced to the lesser charge.
Fletcher died after being administered a dose of morphine higher than recommended.
Court was told Coyle falsified Fletcher’s medical records to steal medication for personal use.
Her lawyer, Barry Snider, recommended a suspended sentence, suggesting that his client has shown remorse from the outset.
The crown is seeking jail time of two years with a 30-day sentence to be served concurrently for breaking a condition imposed a year after being charged in 2019.
Coyle pled guilty to that breach at the start of Monday’s proceedings.
The court also heard from family members through their victim impact statements.
Fletcher’s granddaughter, Melissa Fletcher, told the court that Coyle had “abused her power as a nurse” and her actions had “tortured the entire family.”
Coyle also addressed the court, saying she takes full responsibility for her actions and that she had no intention of becoming a drug-addict nurse.
She issued an apology to her former co-workers, patients, the community, and Fletcher’s family members.
Coyle was fired from her job in January 2015 and surrendered her nursing license a year later.
The College of Nurses of Ontario’s public directory lists her as not being entitled to practice.
