News / People
“Dr. Death” Jack Kevorkian Released from Prison
After spending eight years in a Michigan prison for murdering a man who suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease, Jack Kevorkian walked out a free man on Friday.
The 79-year-old retired pathologist had made headlines throughout the 1990s as an advocated for people’s right to die. Kevorkian claimed that he had assisted in more than 130 suicides and justified the act by saying that individuals suffering from incurable diseases had the right to die with dignity.
Dubbed “Dr. Death” for his participation in the assisted suicides, Kevorkian challenged the laws that forbade an individuals right to chose death. At one point Kevorkian even swore that he would never obey the laws that designated his actions as a crime.
That mindset changed after spending the last eight years behind bars and now Kevorkian has promised to never take part in another assisted suicide. But that hasn’t changed his opinion on the matter. Shortly after his release Kevorkian said, “I'll work to have it legalized. But I won't break any laws doing it.”
As a condition of his parole Kevorkian is not allowed to help anybody die nor is he allowed to care for anyone over the age of 62. His two year parole also stipulates that he is not allowed to care for the disabled. If he violates any of the conditions he could be heading back to prison.
