Kevorkian Free, Vows Not to Assist in New Suicides

Suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian was freed from jail Friday after he promised not to take part in any new assisted suicides until higher courts decide whether Michigan’s law against the practice is valid.

But Oakland County Circuit Judge Virginia Cooper ordered that Kevorkian be placed under house arrest and that he wear an electronic tracking device until that decision is made.

Kevorkian’s lawyer, Geoffrey Fieger, said the 65-year-old retired pathologist would end an 18-day hunger strike to protest his jailing on charges of violating the law.

Kevorkian was taken to Sinai Hospital in Detroit where doctors planned to rehydrate him and examine him for any permanent organ damage.

“He cannot eat orally right away,” Fieger said.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Virginia Cooper ordered that Kevorkian’s $50,000 cash bail be reduced to $100 after the doctor promised not to take part in any additional assisted suicides until higher state courts decide whether the law banning them is unconstitutional.

On Tuesday, the law was struck down by a judge in neighboring Wayne County, who also dropped similar assisted suicide charges against Kevorkian.

Kevorkian, who has assisted in 20 suicides since 1990, had refused to pay the $50,000, vowing never to buy his freedom. The bail had been imposed after Kevorkian twice violated other promises not to assist in any new suicides.

A supporter of Kevorkian’s right-to-die campaign paid the $100 to free him.

Sitting in a wheelchair in a blue denim prison uniform, Kevorkian told the court in a gravelly voice that to take part in any new suicides at this time would be “futile and deleterious to the common good.”

“I must and will pledge that I will not participate in the practice of what I call medicide, or the physician-aided end of human suffering, until the matter is finally resolved by the higher courts of this state or by the public at large,” Kevorkian said.

Cooper accepted his promise, saying that even if the law is thrown out, she will find him in contempt of court if he breaks it and assists any new suicides.