MICHIGAN: Governor Signs Assisted Suicide Ban
Michigan Gov. John Engler (R) Tuesday signed a law "banning assisted suicide in Michigan and aimed at stopping Dr. Jack Kevorkian," the AP/Detroit Free Press reports. Effective Sept. 1, the law makes it a crime to help someone plan his or her suicide, take part in the act itself, or provide the means to do so. The act is punishable by a prison term of up to five years and a $10,000 fine. The new statute "gives prosecutors the tools they need to convict those who assist someone in ending their life," Engler said (7/29). The governor added that the law "will put out of business those who prey on the vulnerable." Michael Schwartz, Kevorkian's attorney, said the law would "force human beings suffering from horrible pain to continue to suffer." Kevorkian has been acquitted of assisted suicide charges three separate times (USA Today, 7/29).
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