Dentist Accused of Manslaughter in Patient’s Death

A West Hollywood dentist was charged with involuntary manslaughter Wednesday in the death of a patient who slipped into a coma after she was given anesthesia.

Dr. William G. Miller was scheduled to surrender for arraignment at a later date. If convicted of the single manslaughter count, he could be sentenced to state prison for up to four years.

The district attorney’s office said Jody Safier, 27, of West Hollywood, a marketing consultant for a Hollywood hotel, went to Miller’s office to have her wisdom teeth extracted Sept. 4, 1986. She was given anesthesia, then stopped breathing, suffered cardiac arrest and slipped into a coma. She died hours later without regaining consciousness.

Prosecutors accused Miller, 30, of gross negligence. They said Safier’s vital signs were not properly monitored and, once she stopped breathing, there were improper attempts at resuscitation.