Mistrial ends botched knee operation suit

TAMPA -- The trial involving a surgeon suing his doctors for allegedly botching his knee operation came to a screeching halt Tuesday when the judge declared a mistrial after discovering that his wife was a patient of one of the defendants.

The litigants had told Circuit Judge Sam Pendino before the trial started that Dr. Steven Knezevich had a patient with the last name of Pendino. The judge did not think it was his wife and let the trial begin. It was only a few days later that Pendino discovered that, indeed, his wife had seen the doctor earlier this year.

He was forced to declare a mistrial. The trial began last week and was scheduled to last another week.

Dr. Michael Wiley had sued Knezevich and Dr. Vincent Tedone for allegedly botching his knee operation. Wiley contends that the actions of Tedone and Knezevich sent him into septic shock and nearly killed him. He says he still has trouble walking and standing.

A new trial will be rescheduled before a different judge.

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