The Return of Dr Death!

[Che Guava]

No, this isn't a batman comic, I'm talking about the one and only Dr J Kevorkian

'Dr Death' to be freed from jail

Jack Kevorkian, the man known as Dr Death and who helped the terminally ill to die, is due to be released from prison in the US state of Michigan.

Kevorkian was convicted in 1999 of the murder by injection of terminally ill Thomas Youk. A video of him dying was broadcast on television.

Kevorkian, 79, has served eight years of a 10-25 year sentence.

He has pledged not to counsel people on suicide but says he will continue to fight for the right to euthanasia.

Kevorkian won parole after an appeal based on his own failing health.

TV interview

The BBC's Jeremy Cooke in New York says Jack Kevorkian was among the most controversial and divisive figures in 1990s America.

The elderly former pathologist insisted that patients living in pain had the right to die.

Kevorkian rejoins debate

Our correspondent says Kevorkian proudly claimed to have helped some 130 people to end their lives, many using his so-called mercy machine, which delivered lethal amounts of drugs intravenously.

Some of the assisted suicides were in the back of his Volkswagen van.

His methods alienated many. In 1998 he offered on a "first come, first served" basis the kidneys of a man he had helped to die.

Kevorkian fought a long battle with the authorities in Michigan, thwarting four attempts to convict him despite the revocation of his medical licence in 1991 and a ban on assisted suicides to stop his work.

Thomas Youk suffered from ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, a wasting disorder of the nervous system.

A jury convicted Kevorkian of second-degree murder after watching the video of him injecting lethal drugs into Mr Youk.

He plans to return to the show in an interview on Sunday.

Prior to his release, Kevorkian told a TV station in Detroit: "[Euthanasia] has got to be legalised. I'll work to have it legalised but I sure won't break any laws."

His release coincides with a key vote next week in California on allowing assisted suicides. Only the state of Oregon has passed such legislation.

Kevorkian's release has brought mixed emotions from the relatives of those he helped die.

Thomas Youk's brother, Terry, said: "It was a medical service that was requested and... compassionately provided by Jack. It should not be a crime."

But Tina Allerellie believed her sister, Karen Shoffstall, was suffering depression and doubted that she wanted to die.

"His intent, I believe, has always been to gain notoriety," Ms Allerellie said.

link

Dr K and his 'Mercy Machine'

So, any comments about the release of this controversial figure, or his work in the past?

 

[Tee Kay]

Jack Kevorkian is treated too harshly. Euthanasia should be legalised.

Well, you did ask.

 

[Che Guava]

Jack Kevorkian is treated too harshly. Euthanasia should be legalised.

Well, you did ask.

Sure did!

and I happen to agree....

although I can admit that the man does smack a little topo much of self-promotion, but I'm sure there are worse things a person can be...

 

[Bozo Erectus]

People better watch out, he was pumping iron and getting mean all those years. Now he's a muscle bound, tatooed, burly Dr. Death with a hair trigger temper.

Terminal people who are in alot of pain should be allowed to end their suffering, if they want.

 

[Rossiya]

Ignore post. No longer relevant.

 

[Neomega]

Jack Kevorkian is a hero, and will be regarded as such one day.

 

[Che Guava]

Jack Kevorkian is a hero, and will be regarded as such one day.

I think that might be...

I mean, besides the whole euthanasia debate (which I guess is an essential part of it, but nonetheless!) I never quite understood why some people hated him so much. He never, as far as I understood, forced death apon anyone, he just sought out people that wanted rest from a life of pain.

 

[warpus]

Terminal people who are in alot of pain should be allowed to end their suffering, if they want.

IMO anyone over 18 should be allowed to do this.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Well, if theyre in alot of pain, why not? Although, they'll be missing out on alot. Its their call I guess. Depends on how stupid they are.

 

[emzie]

While part of his conditional release was to not do it again, he should really write a book or a guide or something.

IMO anyone over 18 should be allowed to do this.

You are allowed to do it. Just not necessarily painlessly.

 

[Stylesjl]

He had the courage to do the right thing.

 

[Kozmos]

He earned a cool nickname. I mean I would kill people to be called Dr. Death. Go Kevorkian!

 

[Tycoon101]

...I should have expected as much...

Well, as long as he kills no one else... This is still an affront to humanity, seeing how he murdered so many.

 

[PrincepsAmerica]

If someone asks you to kill them and you do, I'm not sure a crime has been committed. A sin perhaps. Not a crime.

 

[Tycoon101]

If someone asks you to kill them and you do, I'm not sure a crime has been committed. A sin perhaps. Not a crime.

It is murder, albeit a consentual one.

 

[Quiet Sound]

Lock him up and throw away the key. Terminally ill people decide their quality of life has declined into living hell status and ask him to help them end it, a request he grants? We live at the pleasure of the Government!

 

[GoodEnoughForMe]

I still don't understand why we have laws that put this man in jail in the first place.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

I still don't understand why we have laws that put this man in jail in the first place.

it's probably just the standard murder law. not sure, just guessing.

either way, say if someone wants to die why shouldn't it be allowed?

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

euthanasia isn't that bad. Why was he sentenced to murder and not a more mild sentence like manslaughter.