Dr. Yazeed Essa Guilty: Cyanide Poisoning Caused Wife Rosemarie Essa to Die in Crash

By: Kevin Hayes
Topics: Daily Blotter

Rosemarie and Yazeed Essa

(Credit: CBS/AP Photo)

CLEVELAND (CBS/AP) On Feb. 24, 2005, Rosemarie Essa collapsed behind the wheel of her SUV, crashed into another car, and died. On Friday, five years later, a Cleveland jury convicted her husband, former Ohio emergency room doctor Yazeed Essa, of aggravated murder for the death.

The jury heard weeks of testimony and deliberated for days before returning the verdict against Dr. Yazeed Essa. In the end, they agreed with prosecutors: Yazeed Essa had poisoned his wife by lacing her calcium supplements with cyanide - and that's what caused the fatal car crash. He is guilty of aggravated murder.

After his wife's death, Essa fled to Lebanon. Last year, he gave up an extradition fight and was returned from Cyprus to Ohio. He now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

As the verdict was announced, family members of Rosemarie Essa held hands. After jurors left the courtroom, the victim's family hugged police and prosecutors. While leaving the courtroom, defense attorney Mark Marein said: "We're disappointed." The doctor's relatives would not comment. Rosemarie Essa's brother, Dominic DiPuccio, said the family was delighted with the jury's decision.

Sentencing is set for Tuesday.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
March 3, 2010 - Essa Exclusive: 48 Hours Mystery Producer Describes the Yazeed Essa Case as Verdict Looms

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by Rebelchick1 February 3, 2011 4:16 PM EST: What is your problem, Tommy? In the first place I said "Uh oh" not "Au Oh" and secondly, the meaning of my statement is clear but I'll explain it to you. It means he'll be staying in the United States with us, meaning he's not going to back to his family in their country. Shouldn't you be getting ready for school now. The short bus comes early. Are you really this incredibly dense? What are you, his brother or something?; Reply to this comment

by tommy21962 February 3, 2011 10:24 AM EST

We can thank Dr Essa for the increase in taxes. There's going to be a outbreak of "herpes" thanks to him. Hundreds of inmates will have to be treated.

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by Rebelchick1 February 3, 2011 4:18 PM EST: Well, lets hope you don't catch it but if you do, don't worry. The prison system will provide you with free medical care and will lance your lesions for you.


by Rebelchick1 January 21, 2011 10:30 PM EST: He's not gonna wanna be bending over for the soap too often where he's going.; Reply to this comment

by levotb1 January 21, 2011 5:55 PM EST

Too late to "hang him highe!" Have to hope that his 'mates in the Yard take care of justice for the faily and society. BTW, is Essa a legal alien or an illegal?

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by Rebelchick1 January 21, 2011 10:33 PM EST: Lol, I'm sure they will. He was here legally. He was married to an American...till he killed her of course. Now he'll be staying with us for a while me thinks. I don't think he'll care for his accommodations either.


by tommy21962 February 3, 2011 10:31 AM EST: Au-oh. He's in trouble now, (according to Rebelchick). Rebel, when you say "staying with us", you mean in "prison with you"?


by Rebelchick1 December 29, 2010 11:10 PM EST: Hang him high! Hopefully, Karma will catch up with Dr. Scumbag! Unbelievable! My thoughts, condolences and prayers go out for this poor woman's family, friends and especially her children. RIP Rosemarie. The healer turned murderer can't hurt you anymore.; Reply to this comment

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by GuidoPesto March 6, 2010 11:16 AM EST: Jury done the right thing. GUILTY. What a piece a work.
Essa got it in the end. In the Big House he's gonna
really get it in the end.; Reply to this comment