KHOU-TV, Houston

HOUSTON — A Texas cancer doctor was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after spiking her lover's coffee with a chemical found in antifreeze.

Dr. Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo, 43, was convicted Friday of aggravated assault for poisoning Dr. George Blumenschein with ethylene glycol on Jan. 27, 2013, after he spurned her in favor of his longtime girlfriend. Gonzalez-Angulo is a world-renowned breast cancer doctor who worked with Blumenschein at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center here.

The sweet-tasting poison in Blumenschein's black coffee damaged his kidneys. The oncologist testified last week in Harris County District Court that he has only 40% of his kidney function and had to undergo emergency dialysis to survive.

The poisoning likely will shorten his life, he said. Or it could require the need for a kidney transplant in the future.

"Don't feel bad for one second about sending her to prison. She did that herself," prosecutor Justin Keiter said.

Blumenschein, now 50, began a sexual relationship with Gonzalez-Angulo in September 2011 after working closely with her for several months. But Blumenschein also had been living with his girlfriend, Evette Toney, since 2007; they are still together.

The prosecution had asked for a minimum of 30 years in prison. She could have received a life sentence.

"You cannot fix evil, you can't. You can't fix someone who is cold and calculating and manipulative," Keiter said.

Her lawyers asked the jurors, who deliberated about two hours, to consider probation. Although her conviction will prevent her from returning to work with patients, she may be able to become a cancer researcher, said her defense lawyer, Derek Hollingsworth.

Contributing: The Associated Press

