US court hands life sentence to Indian-origin doc

An Indian-origin doctor was on Tuesday sentenced to a life in prison by a US court that convicted him of orchestrating a 2009 bomb attack that nearly killed the chairman of the Arkansas Medical Board against whom he held a grudge.

Randeep Mann, former physician at Russellville in Arkansas state, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the bombing that critically injured Trent Pierce and left him with one eye and one ear, the Arkansas News reported.

Pierce, according to prosecutors, had revoked Mann's license to prescribe medication over concerns of overdosing on some patients.

Mann, prosecutors argued, plotted the bombing in retaliation for the board not reinstating his permit to prescribe medication.

Pierce lost an eye and suffered other serious injuries in the attack but has recovered since and resumed his duties as the head of the Arkansas Medical Board.

US District Judge Brian Miller also imposed a $100,000 fine on Mann, who was convicted of conspiracy and weapons charges last summer in the February 4, 2009,

bombing at Trent Pierce's West Memphis home.

Mann's wife, Sangeeta, was also convicted on an obstruction charge and was sentenced on Monday to a year in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Assistant US Attorney Michael Gordon argued for the maximum penalty during Mann's sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

"The fact that Dr Pierce survived does not change the intent to kill in his case," Gordon said.

At the hearing, Pierce said Mann's actions left him in a precarious position. "I have one remaining but damaged eye, and one remaining but damaged ear. Dr Mann's actions significantly increased the likelihood of blindness and deafness for me in my lifetime."

Urging a harsh sentence, Pierce said the bombing was "revenge for decisions I participated in on the Medical Board" and aimed at intimidating other members.

The judge also ordered Mann to make restitution and said he would determine the amount within 90 days.

Attorneys for Mann and his wife said they would appeal the convictions.