A French doctor accused of intentionally poisoning 30 child and adult patients, 12 of whom died, went on trial Monday, saying before the hearing he wasn't responsible for the "distress" of his alleged victims and their families.

Frederic Pechier, 53, worked as an anaesthetist at two clinics in the eastern city of Besancon when patients went into cardiac arrest in suspicious circumstances between 2008 to 2017. Twelve couldn't be resuscitated.

He's accused of triggering heart attacks in patients so he could show off his resuscitation skills and discredit co-workers.

Former French anaesthetist Frederic Pechier, left, next to his lawyer, Randall Schwerdorffer, during a break on the opening day of his trial in Besancon in northeastern France, on Sept. 8, 2025. ROMEO BOETZLE/AFP via Getty I

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