Michigan Senate Votes Ban on Kevorkian
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DETROIT — The Michigan Senate, seeking to prevent Dr. Jack Kevorkian from counseling terminally ill people about suicide, approved a permanent ban against the practice Wednesday.
A temporary ban expired last month when a state commission failed to reach a consensus. Since then, legislators have been working to come up with a permanent ban to prevent Kevorkian from participating in any additional suicides.
Kevorkian’s attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, called the bill “laughable” and said the Legislature is ignoring the wishes of the people.
Kevorkian has helped 21 people commit suicide since 1990. He faces two murder charges stemming from assisted suicides in 1991.
The measure must also be approved by the Michigan House of Representatives.
The ban sets a penalty of four years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
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