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I PAGE 8THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 19,2003 www.durhamregion.com Psychiatrist says poisoned woman wasn't suicidal BY STEPHEN SHAW Staff Writer WHITBY - A psychiatrist psychiatrist who examined Hc- moutie (Geeta) Raghunauth a month before site died of cyanide poisoning has testified testified she wasn't suicidal. The 28-year-old Pickering Pickering woman was assessed by Dr. Caridad Cruz at Scarborough Scarborough Centenary Hospital on April 5, 2000 and prescribed prescribed the anti-anxiety medication Ativan, a 12- member jury was told Monday. Monday. Dr. Cruz said she conducted conducted a risk assessment during the 45-minute appointment appointment and was "certain" Mrs. Raghunauth was not feeling suicidal. Mrs. Raghunauth appeared appeared to suffer from anxiety anxiety and general depression due to suspicions her husband husband was being unfaithful, said Dr. Cruz, testifying for the Crown. Court heard Mrs. Raghunauth Raghunauth was referred to the psychiatrist by her family doctor after complaining of sleeplessness and other health problems. Dr. Cruz said she recommended recommended psychotherapy for Mrs. Raghunauth. She never again heard from Mrs. Raghunauth, who died on Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, pregnant with her second child. Prosecutors allege Ganesh Raghunauth, 31, fatally fatally poisoned his wife with cyanide in their Beaton Way home - three weeks after he Henioutie Raghunauth: Died on Mother's Day, 2000, pregnant with her second child. was secretly engaged to a New York woman with whom he was having an affair. affair. The position of the defence defence is Mrs. Raghunauth committed suicide. During cross-examination cross-examination Dr. Cruz agreed with defence counsel Donna Kellway that the reliability of her suicide risk assessment assessment would depend on whether Mrs. Raghunauth was honest when answering the doctor's questions. Dr. Cruz also agreed with the defence suggestion a patient's cultural or religious religious beliefs may deter them from openly discussing discussing suicidal thoughts. In the Hindu culture, suicide suicide is viewed as a serious misdeed and will prevent a person's reincarnation, jurors jurors were told during earlier testimony. A family member described Mrs. Raghunauth, who was Hindu, as "very religious, very spiritual" who had always always spoken out against suicide. "In our Hindu culture, anyone who commits suicide goes to hell. At no time she (would) never do something like that," testified Jadoonauth Prashad, a pandit (Hindu priest) who was Mrs. Raghunauth's uncle by marriage. Mr. Prashad, who performed the 13- day funeral service for Mrs. Raghunauth, Raghunauth, said her husband was absent for many of the daily prayers. On the 10th day, Mr. Raghunauth's cellphone was ringing throughout the sermon, said Mr. Prashad. After, Mr. Raghunauth told him he had to leave town on a "business trip" and then missed the last three days of his wife's funeral, including the 13th and most important day of the services. When asked the religious significance significance of a husband's absence from his wife's funeral on the 13th day, Mr. Prashad responded: "It's a bad thing." The Superior Court trial continues. Hum* il FKOBLKM or CONCERN with your: • Life and Health Insurance Company • Home, Car or Business Insurance Company • Securities or Mutual Funds Provider •*Bank Not sure where to turn for HELP?- Call the Centre fur the Financial Services OmhudsNelwork and a Consumer Assistance Specialist will put you in touch with someone who can help you resolve your problem. This free imlepeiulenl service is supported by the members of the Canadian Hankers Association, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. Insurance Bureau of Canada. Investment Dealers Association of Canada. Investment Funds Institute of Canada and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada. Toll Free (English): 1-866-538-KSON (3766) Toll Free (French): l-866-668-RCSF(7273) Toronto (Bilingual): 416-777-2043 Fax: 416-777-9716 E-mail: infofn'clsun-crcsl'.ca Website: www.cl'son-ercsf.ca -- CRCSFJ' 4XX Please recycle cc --I SI a < oo DO 30% OFF Babysteps Membership PHOTOFINISHING 24 Exp in 1 hour 12 Exp. $ 4.99 24 Exp. $ 6.98 36 Exp. $11.99 Not valid with any olhor otter C-41 process colour or B& W o o CM ■ jz £ .y o JZ sz <5 O " BABY STEPS MEMBERS 45% off custom frames purchased with print ! : «I <D E = Q _ <ti ® $ The Comfort lone by Glenn Trider THIS WEEK: FEEL OIL INSPECTIONS Why is it needed? As sonic of you have already experienced, fuel oil companies are sending in inspectors to cheek out your furnace, lank and fuel oil delivery system. A new regulation was passed into law in late 2001 regarding oil healing. Recent ground contamination from releases of fuel oil & contaminated soil from tanks slowly leaking has prompted this. Of most concern especially are old underground fuel tanks buried since the early I950's. These tanks had little in corrosion protection and they now pose a large risk of contaminating the environment. As of May 1st, 2002. no fuel oil company is permitted to fill an underground tank unless it is registered with the provincial body called T.S.S.A. Also, after a phase in period, these tanks will need upgrading or leak detection systems. The cost 10 remove these tanks can be considerable. A contractor must have a Petroleum Equipment Technician and licenced employee perform removal. As well all oil systems must he rcinspccled every 10 years. Above ground oil tanks in basements may need replacing if they appear to he sweating or the lank appears to he a possible hazard. Oil lines in concrete are unacceptable with today's code, and older lines which appear to he leaking or have corrosion due to the concrete may also require replacing. If you disagree with your fuel oil company, you have the right to have a second opinion from another company. If they agree that the existing equipment is safe, they then assume responsibility as well as supplying fuel oil. Most companies appear to be taking inspections diligently and in most cases replacement is justified. The T.S.S.A. will give a binding opinion, however inspection fees are charged for this service. Many homeowners faced with the $900 to $1.500 cost of upgrading their fuel oil storage system, are thinking about converting to other fuels. Natural gas. if available, offer rebates up to $400 through the local gas utility. Gas companies see this as a chance to increase their market penetration as many furnaces are the same age as the oil tank. 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