A Maryland dentist was found guilty Friday of murdering his girlfriend after he deliberately delivered a lethal amount of drugs to her in their Montgomery County home.
The conviction comes after Sarah Harris overdosed on anesthetics delivered via an IV station that her boyfriend, Dr. James Ryan, had rigged inside the residence. A Montgomery County jury took less than three hours to deliberate and reach a verdict in the case, according to The Washington Post.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, an autopsy determined Harris had diasepam and ketamine in her system at the time of her death. Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said that investigators found bottles of propofol, ketamine, diasepam, and midazolam at the scene.
“Numerous hypodermic needles, syringes and tourniquets were discovered nearby as well,” Jones said last year, following Ryan’s arrest. “These bottles are not the type of medication that would normally be dispensed from a pharmacy and are usually reserved for clinical medical settings.”
Ryan meet Harris initially she was a patient. She then started working for him as a surgical technician in October 2020. By January, 2021, they were in a romantic relationship, and Harris moved into Ryan’s home that summer.
Within a year, Harris was found dead inside the residence, weighing 83 pounds. Family members told the jury they found bloody towels, an IV pole and drug vials next to the victim’s bed.
“Dr. James Ryan — a well-trained oral surgeon, skilled in what he did, an expert in his field. He knew the risks of these drugs better than anyone,” Montgomery County Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Harrison told the jury.
“And despite his vast knowledge and training in the field, he continuously provided these dangerous, deadly anesthetic drugs to Sarah Harris over a period of time even as he watched her deteriorate before his eyes.”
“Every time he gave her those drugs — whether he administered them or whether he instructed her on how to administer them to herself — a little bit of Sarah died. Until he gave them to her one too many times. And he killed her; he killed Sarah Harris. He created this risk.”
Ryan is facing up to 55 years behind bars for murder and the additional convictions. His sentencing will take place at a later date.
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[Feature Photo: Sarah Harris/Family Handout]
