Kevorkian, circa 1994
Kevorkian, 2007
Wasn't the original argument for Kevorian's release a plea for mercy for a man near death?
As per this morning's Reuters report <www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/4082110a10.html>,
"Jack Kevorkian, the US assisted suicide advocate dubbed Dr Death, stepped free from a Michigan prison with few words but plans for a media blitz to support his cause. Kevorkian, 79, who says he assisted in some 130 deaths, had served eight years for a second-degree murder conviction after he videotaped himself administering lethal drugs to a 52-year-old man suffering from the debilitating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease....Starting with a series of high-profile television interviews, Kevorkian has said he will return to the campaign for legal reform to allow the terminally ill to end their lives with medical aid. CBS reporter Mike Wallace, whose 60 Minutes news show aired the death tape that became the central piece of evidence at Kevorkian's 1999 murder trial, was greeted by the newly released Kevorkian with a hug....Kevorkian had thwarted four attempts by prosecutors to convict him and flouted a Michigan ban on assisted suicide aimed at him. State regulators revoked his medical license in 1991. Mayer Morganroth, Kevorkian's lawyer, said his client had many offers for speaking engagements waiting for him, including some paying between $US50,000 and $US100,000."
The Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit seeks to remind the world of the true reasons for Kevorkian's notoriety:
“For 10 years, Jack Kevorkian’s actions resembled those of a pathologicalserial killer. It will be truly regrettable if he’s now treated as a celebrity parolee instead of the convicted murderer he is. Together with our fellow Catholics in Michigan, the Detroit archdiocese pledges to continue our efforts on behalf of patients, their families and their caregivers to increase the knowledge – and availability – of medically and morally sound options for end-of-life decision-making” <www.aodonline.org/aodonline-sqlimages/PressReleaseStatements/AOD/070531Kevorkian.pdf>
"Any legislative effort to decriminalize assisted suicide in this state will face the same demise as the 1998 ballot issue that was overwhelmingly rejected by a three to one margin. Assisted suicide represents an affront to the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity - all of which must be repudiated by elected officials and people of good will who seek to protect life from its beginning to its natural end. Those suffering from terminal conditions deserve to be treated with dignity and respect through appropriate palliative care along with love and comfort from family, friends and competent medical personnel” <www.micatholicconference.org/public_policy/press_releases/20070531-StatementOnKevorkian.php>.
