[BobbyB]

Will ‘Dr. Death’ strike again?
The story of infamous Jack Kevorkian

Publication Date 5/1/2008 10:17:36 AM(IST)



On June 1st, 2007, the infamous Jack Kevorkian (In Thumb Prcture), also known as ‘Dr. Death’, was released from Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan. The retired pathologist was imprisoned for helping others die. In the past, Kevorkian has claimed responsibility in assisting at least 130 deaths in the United States. According to current US law, physician-assisted suicide is illegal, except in the state of Oregon. Yet Belgium, Holland and Switzerland have already legalized physician-assisted dying.




Dr. Death’s reign began in June 1990 with the assisted death of Janet Adkins, 54, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. She died after using an intravenous drug machine. Kevorkian was charged in December with first-degree murder, but the charges were later dismissed since there were no assisted suicide laws in Michigan.



In October 1991, Marjorie Wantz, 58, who suffered from chronic pelvic pain, died of lethal injection. Her death was followed by Sherry Miller, 44, a multiple sclerosis patient, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The following month, Kevorkian’s medical license was suspended. In February 1992, he was charged with the murders of Wantz and Miller. In 1996, he was acquitted of these murders.



Over a nine-year span, Kevorkian assisted in the deaths of people suffering from various diseases and painful conditions, including terminal cancer, Lou Gehrig’s disease, heart disease, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, emphysema, intestinal disease, arthritis and other forms of cancer. Two of the youngest people recorded were Nicholas Loving, 27, who suffered from ALS and died from carbon monoxide poisoning, and Roosevelt Dawson, 21, who was paralysed from the neck down and died from lethal injection. Kevorkian’s suicide methods included intravenous drugs, lethal injections and most commonly, the inhalation of carbon monoxide.



Perhaps the most prominent case is that of Thomas Youk, a 52-year-old man with advanced Lou Gehrig’s disease, who sought out Kevorkian in 1998 and agreed to have his death videotaped. Kevorkian then gave the tape to Mike Wallace from 60 Minutes and it aired on November 22, 1998. Days later, Kevorkian was charged with first-degree murder and the delivery of a controlled substance. During the trial in 1999, ‘Dr. Death’ committed legal suicide by firing his attorney and representing himself. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sent to prison [People v. Kevorkian, 248 Mich. App. 373, 639 N.W. 2d 291 (2001).



Today, at 79-years-old, he is on probation for two years, where he is closely monitored and expected to fulfil his promise to the court to not participate in any way in any assisted death.



According to prison authorities, his defiance and flagrantly vocal disregard for the law have changed and he no longer spouts contempt for society and the legal system. Kevorkian now says that he should have worked to change the system legally.



In April 1999, just prior to being convicted, Kevorkian told Jack Lessenberry, ombudsman for The Blade, “Now I’ve got them where I want them.” His revolutionary statements to the public and media, and his disagreement with current assisted dying laws made his name synonymous with assisted suicide. At one time, he was one of the most famous US personalities.



Kevorkian’s attorney, Mayer Morganroth, claims that his client suffers from numerous health issues, including hepatitis C, high blood pressure and diabetes. Morganroth also insists that his client probably wouldn’t live past April 2008.



Kevorkian has stated that, after his parole, he intends to write and do some public speaking. We can only guess what the topic will be. But the question on everyone’s mind: will ‘Dr. Death’ strike again? Only time will tell.



Kevorkian’s life before and after prison was mimicked in the season premiere of Law & Order.


http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=1679