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Williston, N.D. (AP) A Williston doctor has been cleared in a civil defamation lawsuit filed by another doctor who assisted him in a kidney removal operation four years ago.

A jury cleared Salem Shahin of the allegations by Inder Khokha.

The patient involved in the 2004 operation later died. Her son filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two doctors. Shahin settled out of court, but the lawsuit continued against Khokha.

Khokha alleged in his civil defamation lawsuit that Shahin gave family members of the patient who died inaccurate information about his work during the operation. The jury disagreed.

The case of the operation led to a divided state Supreme Court ruling last year that Khokha could not use North Dakota's "good Samaritan" law to ward off the wrongful death lawsuit. Trial is set for August.

Khokha now practices in Jamestown.

Information from: Williston Herald, http://www.willistonherald.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-17-08 1205CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list