VISTA -- A Valley Center man who prosecutors said went beyond advocating dietary changes and charged sick and dying cancer patients for bogus intravenous "treatments" was convicted Wednesday of two counts of practicing medicine without a license.
After a two-month trial, 63-year-old Robert Young -- the author of the popular "pH Miracle" book series -- was acquitted of a third count of practicing medicine without a license. Jurors deadlocked on six other counts, including grand theft.
Deputy District Attorney Gina Darvas said Young gave at least six terminally ill cancer patients intravenous lines of sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, charging $500 for each "treatment" at his North County ranch and medical center.
The prosecutor said Young took just one biology class from the University of Utah in the 1970s and did not graduate from the school.
Defense attorney Paul Pfingst said patients sought out Young specifically because he wasn't a doctor, but rather a naturopathic practitioner who has alternative views to traditional medicine.
