[Luba]

from CNEWS:

The father of a tainted blood victim broke down in tears when describing the son he lost to HIV, on the first day of what promises to be emotionally charged victim testimony.

"What kind of boy was he?" Crown attorney Michael Bernstein asked the father from British Columbia.

The father's face reddened as he struggled to contain his emotions. "He was a great kid," he managed to say before burying his head in his hands.

A publication ban is in effect on all names that can identify the victims.

Drs. Micheal Rodell, Roger Perrault, Donald Boucher, John Furesz and Armour Pharmaceutical Co. of New Jersey face charges of criminal nuisance and criminal negligence in the tainted blood scandal. All have pleaded not guilty.

More than 1,000 Canadians became infected with HIV and another 20,000 contracted hepatitis C.

At least 3,000 people died, but at issue in the trial are 65 people who became infected with HIV.

The victim, identified as CL, was a severe hemophiliac and required between four and six vials of blood plasma a day, which helps clot blood and stop profuse bleeding, court heard.

But while the Armour blood plasma product was pulled from U.S. and UK shelves after users became diagnosed with HIV, it was still being distributed in Canada and CL's family remained in the dark, court heard.

"Did anyone explain to you Armour had taken the product off the market after people got HIV?" Bernstein asked.

"No," the father said, adding he never heard from Armour representatives.

When the doctor hauled the family into his office to break the news that CL had contracted HIV, it was a blow to everyone, the father said. "I couldn't belive it," he said, choking back his emotions.

In addition to being HIV-positive, CL also contracted hepatitis C during a hospital visit, and subsequently lost weight, weakening considerably.

It was during a father-son trip that the 23-year-old eventually succumbed ot his illness, passing away in October 1995. The trial continues next week...