Calif: Pediatrician Gets 20 Years to Life for Killing Pregnant Lover
Patty
By NEDRA RHONE
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
A Pasadena pediatrician who sought probation after being convicted of murdering a
colleague who was pregnant with his child was sentenced Thursday to 20 years to life in
prison.
Dr. Kevin Paul Anderson, 42, a prominent local physician and former head of pediatrics
at St. Luke's Medical Center, was convicted of second-degree murder in December for
killing Dr. Deepti Gupta, 33. Anderson strangled Gupta with his tie, doused her body with
gasoline and pushed her car over a cliff in the Angeles National Forest in November 1999.
"This has been a terrible, terrible tragedy for everyone involved," Anderson said in
court Thursday. "I cannot even begin to describe with words how I feel about what has
happened. . . . It is beyond sorry."
But despite pleas by Anderson's defense lawyer, Pasadena Superior Court Judge Teri
Schwartz refused to change the jury's verdict to voluntary manslaughter and grant
probation.
"This is a classic murder case," Schwartz said.
The judge said she had never been asked to consider probation for a murder case.
Gupta's husband, Vijay, called Anderson an animal who preyed on women.
"This man is not showing any remorse," Gupta said. "He is a disease to society, worse
than AIDS."
In seeking probation, defense attorney Michael E. Abzug said Anderson had been
painted by prosecutors as a "latter-day Lothario" when in fact he was "a decent person,
notwithstanding his conviction."
Anderson's wife and a childhood friend also spoke on his behalf.
As Heidi Anderson pledged to continue supporting her husband if probation were
granted, Anderson turned and smiled slightly.
"I feel like a victim, partially, in this too," Heidi Anderson said. "I totally
believe in him. I don't believe he planned this."
A request by Deputy Dist. Atty. Marian Thompson to show a video of Gupta with her
then-3-year-old daughter and some of the child's letters and drawings was denied.
"I don't need any additional evidence or arguments from the people," Schwartz said.
Physicians and friends speaking on behalf of Gupta expressed anger and outrage at her
death.
Dr. Nilesh Desai, a Burbank physician, requested a minute of silence in her memory.
"That is one minute. It takes 5-6 minutes for death by strangulation," he said.
Schwartz said Anderson committed great bodily harm to Gupta, a woman who had looked
up to him as a mentor and had every reason to trust him. The two physicians had worked
together at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.
"The tragedy of this situation is unbelievable," Schwartz said.
The sentence includes five years because of Gupta's pregnancy, plus 15 years to life.
During the trial, prosecutors said Anderson and Gupta had been lovers when Anderson,
fearful that Gupta would reveal their relationship and ruin his career, killed her.
Vijay Gupta said Anderson's supporters could not be aware of the pain he had caused.
"Just come and spend one day at my house," Gupta said. "And you will be ashamed."
Patty
From LA times:
: A Pasadena pediatrician who sought probation after being convicted of murdering a
: colleague who was pregnant with his child was sentenced Thursday to 20 years to life in
: prison.
: Dr. Kevin Paul Anderson, 42, a prominent local physician and former head of
pediatrics
: at St. Luke's Medical Center, was convicted of second-degree murder in December for
: killing Dr. Deepti Gupta, 33. Anderson strangled Gupta with his tie, doused her body
with
: gasoline and pushed her car over a cliff in the Angeles National Forest in November
1999.
Excerpt from Indolink:
http://www.indolink.com/News/NRI/news_031301_052239.html
After the verdict was in Vijay Gupta was still angered over his wife's death but said,
"He's not a man, He's an animal. He's a disease. He's worse than AIDS. He needs to go to
jail." Gupta works as an engineer at the UC of California. Anderson apologized to his
family and the Gupta family. In a note he wrote the judge, he asked that his medical
license not be taken away. "Would it be possible to use my training, for example, working
in an underserved area or reservation setting, even as a physician's assistant if my
license is taken away?" Anderson wrote in the letter. The jury had pity on Anderson and he
will continue to have his license.
In response to that Gupta was upset that the jury would even consider giving Anderson the
benefits. Gupta has filed a civil suit on behalf of his 3-year-old daughter. If Anderson
got the first degree murder charge that would of satisfied Gupta but since he has been
getting the benefits of keeping his license, a possible parole after 15 years, and having
a life. Gupta wants Anderson to pay for what he has done.
DedNdogYrs
needs to go to jail.">
Yes he should, but I wonder if the husband believes that his wife was pregnant
by this "animal" and was having an affair with him.
Dogs & children first.