Nation / IN BRIEF : MICHIGAN : Kevorkian Better, His Doctor Says

Suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian will be released from Sinai Hospital in Detroit and is showing strong signs of recovery from an 18-day hunger strike in jail, his doctor said. Dr. Stanley Levy said Kevorkian, who has helped 20 people with terminal or debilitating diseases to kill themselves, has regained about seven of the 18 pounds he lost during his fast at the Oakland County Jail and is showing psychological improvement. Kevorkian, 65, apparently suffered no permanent organ damage from his fast in protest of his jailing on charges of violating Michigan’s law against assisted suicide. Kevorkian refused all solid foods and consumed only water, fruit juice and vitamins. His $50,000 cash bond was reduced to $100 after he swore under oath not to participate in any new assisted suicides until an appellate court rules on the law.