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Dr. Hocog found not guilty
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Posted on Jul 11 2008
The federal jury has found Dr. Larry Borja Hocog not guilty of illegally dispensing regulated painkillers—a decision that reduced the doctor and some of his family members to tears.
Hocog was visibly shaking and had tears in his eyes when the courtroom deputy read the 12 jurors’ verdict declaring him not guilty of one count of distribution of oxycodone hydrochloride and one count of distribution of meperidine.
Some of his family members, relatives and friends who watched the proceeding were also in tears. They later hugged the doctor after the hearing.
Hocog’s lead counsel, Michael Dotts, was not present due to sickness. Dotts’ co-counsel, Ramon Quichocho, represented the defendant in the courtroom.
In an interview with Saipan Tribune, Quichocho said they are very thankful to God and the jury for the rendering a just verdict. Quichocho also thanked the court’s staff and even assistant U.S. attorney Eric O’Malley for “their professionalism throughout the trial.”
“From the beginning I knew that Dr. Hocog did not commit any crime. I’m just so happy that the jury rendered a just verdict,” the lawyer said.
When asked for comments, O’Malley said obviously he’s disappointed, but that he respects the jury’s decision. “I think the evidence we showed justify a different outcome,” he said.
The indictment alleged that beginning Sept. 4, 2007, until Nov. 30, 2007, Dr. Hocog dispensed oxycodone hydrochloride and meperidine (commonly known as demerol)—both controlled substances.
At that time, the doctor’s Drug Enforcement Administration controlled substance registration certificate and his license to practice medicine in the CNMI were under certain restrictions due to a separate pending case before the local medical board.
Hocog has maintained his innocence.
The jurors started deliberating on Thursday. They resumed deliberations yesterday morning and came out with the decision in the afternoon.
