DOCTOR GETS 50 YEARS FOR 'PILL MILL'

Ft. Pierce -- A doctor accused of running a "pill mill" that led to
the death of at least one patient has been sentenced to 50 years in
prison.

Asuncion Luyao, 64, said at her sentencing hearing Friday that she was
only trying to help those in pain.

Luyao was convicted in March of manslaughter in the death of longtime
patient Julia Hartsfield, as well as five counts of trafficking pain
pills and one count of racketeering.

Prosecutors had argued Luyao thought she could make more money as a
drug dealer than a physician, prescribing large doses of addictive
narcotics with few, if any, examinations.

Authorities alleged the practice led to six patient deaths.

Defense lawyers claimed she was duped by some patients who lied to get
prescriptions. They also argued that two of the patients died of
natural causes and that suicide could not be ruled out in others.