NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Murder Trial Of Former Plastic Surgeon Underway

Murder Trial Of Former Plastic Surgeon Underway

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Opening statements began in the murder trial of a former plastic surgeon accused of providing drugs that killed his model-author girlfriend.

Dr. Christ Koulis, 39, is charged with second-degree murder and reckless homicide in the death of 35-year-old Lesa Buchanan.

The jury must consider if Buchanan or Koulis caused her death.

The pair dated for six years before her death on July 4, 2005.

Koulis called 911 for help.

In court, the jury heard a tape played in which Koulis reported Buchanan's condition and said he tried CPR.

Attorneys argued that their relationship featured drug use.

Assistant District Attorney General Kim Helper said Koulis injected Buchanan with Oxycodone and acetaminophen during the holiday weekend.

"But for the injections of Oxycodone, Lesa Buchanan would be here today," Helper said.

"There was no direct evidence that Christ Koulis distributed drugs," said David Raybin, a defense attorney.

During the trial, which is expected to end next week, jurors will see videos showing the couple's sex acts that featured drug use.

Raybin said Buchanan died of pulmonary hypertension due to years of drug abuse.