Kevorkian Assists in 13th Suicide Case

Retired pathologist Jack Kevorkian helped a 70-year-old invalid who killed himself Monday by inhaling carbon monoxide. He was Kevorkian’s 13th assisted suicide.

Hugh Gale, a former security guard, had been disabled more than 10 years with emphysema and congestive heart disease.

“He was in terrible pain,” said Michael Schwartz, one of Kevorkian’s attorneys. “He was on oxygen 100% of the time--could not walk, could not go out of the house.”

Gale’s wife, Cheryl, and Kevorkian were at Gale’s suburban Detroit home when he died, Schwartz said. Mrs. Gale did not speak to reporters.

Linda Vaughn Davis, an assistant county prosecutor at the scene, said she didn’t know what legal action, if any, would be taken. There was no answer Monday at the prosecutor’s office, which was closed for Presidents’ Day.

Gale had been in counseling with Kevorkian for several months, Schwartz said.