Nurse Admits Murdering 11: Deliberate Fire Kills Elderly in Sydney Nursing Home
A nurse is potentially facing life-imprisonment after murdering 11 elderly people by setting fire to the nursing home he worked at in Sydney.
Roger Dean pleaded guilty to the act, which also caused extreme bodily harm to eight nursing home residents injured by the blaze in 2011, according to ABC News.
Three residents perished during the inferno Dean started and eight others died later from their injuries.
He also admitted eight counts of causing grievous bodily harm to other mostly infirm residents of the home, some of whom suffered from dementia or were blind.
The 37-year-old registered nurse was on duty when he allegedly set fire to his work area. He later appeared on television describing his efforts to save patients at the nursing home, which is located in the suburb of Quakers Hill.
As he made his pleas in New South Wales state Supreme Court Monday, his sentencing is to be determined on Thursday at a hearing.
Police had questioned him at the home hours before the blaze over theft allegations. He has already pleaded guilty to stealing prescription drugs from the health facility.
Reports said family members of the victims in the packed court room wiped away tears and one woman left sobbing, while others were seen weeping outside.
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