Trial Underway for Doctor Accused of Prescribing Thousands of Illegal Doses of Painkillers in Virginia

A trial is underway in Abingdon for a Virginia doctor accused of running an illegal pill mill.

Dr. Joel Smithers is accused of prescribing thousands of illegal doses of potent and addictive painkillers from his medical practice in Martinsville, Virginia. A federal judge ordered the trial to begin this week, refusing to postpone the trial and appoint a new defense attorney for Smithers.

The doctor is charged in an 862 count indictment, including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, maintaining a place for unlawfully distributing controlled substances, and dispensing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose.