NATCHEZ — Less than one month after a wrongful death suit was filed against Marshall Hawkins for the death of his wife, Hawkins was in a Hinds County court filing a suit of his own.

Hawkins is suing Dr. Michael Wheelis for slanderous and defamatory comments made about Hawkins in relation to the death of his wife, Dr. Lynn Palmer.

Palmer and Wheelis were co-workers at Natchez Community Hospital where Wheelis is the ER’s medical director.

On July 13, 2007, Palmer died at a hospital in Jackson. the cause of her death was said to be bacterial septicemia, although the results of her autopsy are only known by a handful of people.

The suit maintains Wheelis made the following comments, “Marshall poisoned Lynn,” “2, 4d was used to poison Lynn.”

The chemical, 2, 4d, is a component used in herbicides.

Mark Carroll represents Hawkins in the suit and said his client has been damaged by Wheelis’ comments and the comments were made without any foundation.

Carroll said the suit was filed in Hinds County since that’s where the comments were said to have been made.

“There is no basis,” Carroll said of Wheelis’ remarks.

Carroll said his client is seeking damages for Wheelis’ comments since they have caused severe injury to Hawkins’ reputation.

“It damaged Marshall in the community,” he said. “(Marshall) was in love with his wife and would never do anything to hurt her.”

Carroll said he would let a jury decide the amount of damages.

“You can’t put a price on your reputation,” he said.

Just four days ago Wheelis’ attorneys filed their response to Hawkins suit.

The response says Wheelis “denies speaking defamatory words.”

Wheelis would not comment on the matter and his attorneys could not be contacted.

While no dates have been set for a hearing, Carroll said he is in the process of setting up depositions.