| Subject: Kevorkian's health worsens |
Author:
Chris
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Date Posted: 12/11/05 2:39pm
PUBLISHED: Friday, December 9, 2005
Kevorkian's health worsens
Lawyer seeks early release for assisted suicide advocate
by SUSAN YOUNGER
staff reporter
LAPEER—Jack Kevorkian's lawyer wants an early release for his imprisoned client because of a failing liver.
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Kevorkian, often referred to as "Dr. Death," is being treated by doctors in the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer where he is an inmate.
"His health has worsened," said Kevorkian's attorney Mayer Morganroth, of Southfield. "He has a series of health problems, temporal arthritis, a series of fractures, heart problems and high blood pressure."
His most recent problem, Hepatitis C, is putting his liver and his life in danger, said Morganroth.
"It lay dormant for many years," said Morganroth. "He contracted it in Vietnam and there is no way to treat it. He needs a transplant. I have asked the governor to pardon him."
Governor Jennifer Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the issue is before the parole board.
"They will consider it and a recommendation will be presented to the governor," said Boyd. "I can't give a time line."
Kevorkian's right to live coincides with his fight to allow terminal patients the right to choose, said Morganroth.
Kevorkian was convicted of second-degree murder and delivery of a controlled substance April 13, 1999, for giving a fatal injection to Thomas Youk, 52, who suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease.
Kevorkian had previously participated in many assisted suicides, but had not been convicted. Then the CBS television show "60 Minutes" aired a videotape showing Kevorkian giving the lethal injection to Youk. The program drew intense debate on ethics.
"There has never been one doctor that spent a day in prison for assisted suicide," said Morganroth.
Both Morganroth and attorney Geoffrey Fieger previously represented Kevorkian in the courtroom. Kevorkian and Fieger split up in disagreement of Kevorkian representing himself as his own lawyer. Morganroth has been handling Kevorkian's legal appeals.
Kevorkian is housed in the general population, said Thumb Correctional Facility media liaison Margaret Topham.
"He pretty much keeps to himself," said Topham.
Kevorkian receives letters, but may not receive phone calls. He is permitted to call anyone on his approved list of 20 names, said Topham.
"They do not allow face to face or on camera interviews with him," said Morganroth. "Barbara Walters sued and was unable to interview him. I hear from Larry King all the time."
Kevorkian is eligible for parole in 2007. He's said he won't assist in anymore suicides if released from prison.
He is unmarried and has no children.
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