Paramedics charged with murder after patient dies in their care

Springfield, Illinois - Two paramedics are facing murder charges after a patient died in their care.

Two paramedics in Illinois have been charged with the first-degree murder for failing to properly care for a patient who later died.
Two paramedics in Illinois have been charged with the first-degree murder for failing to properly care for a patient who later died.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

On Monday, Sangamon County state attorney Dan Wright issued first-degree murder charges against former paramedics Peggy Finley (44) and Peter Cadigan (50) for the death of Earl L. Moore, Jr (35).

According to a press release from the Springfield Police Department, the incident took place on December 18, 2022, when three officers responded to a distress call from a resident suffering from hallucinations due to alcohol withdrawal.

Minutes later, the two paramedics arrived at the scene, but "acted indifferently to the patient's condition."

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Finley allegedly first made contact with Moore inside the home, instructing him to walk to the ambulance, although it was clear he was in no condition to do so.

"You’re gonna have to walk 'cause we ain't carrying you!" Finley is heard saying in body cam footage, also telling him to "quit acting dumb."

"I am seriously not in the mood for this dumb sh*t," she adds.

Two law enforcement officers at the scene stepped up to assist Moore outside to a gurney, per the body cam video.

Cadigan and Finley proceed to place Moore on the gurney in a face down position, working together to tightly strap him in. Moore died upon arrival at the hospital.

An autopsy report ruled that Moore died from "compressional and positional asphyxia" caused by the ill position the paramedics placed him in.

The two were arrested on January 9 and are currently being held at Sangamon County Detention Facility on a $1 million bond each.

Finley and Cadigan are due back in court on Thursday.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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