Kevorkian Uses Props to Parody His Prosecution

PONTIAC, Mich. — Jack Kevorkian arrived at court in homemade stocks and a mock ball and chain Thursday to ridicule his prosecution on assisted-suicide charges as a throwback to the Middle Ages.

“Nobody with brains should take this seriously,” he told reporters at the Oakland County Courthouse, where he was arraigned in the 1991 deaths of two seriously ill women. “It’s nuts.”

The retired pathologist wore cardboard stocks, his arms and head stuck through the holes. He also wore a mock ball and chain and signs that read “Common law of Middle Ages. What’s next, the Inquisition?” and “Think this is a circus? You’re right. But blame the seven Supreme Court jesters.”

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled last year that assisted suicide could be prosecuted under common law as an offense carrying five years in prison.

Kevorkian, 67, took off the items before entering the courtroom, but stood mute before the bench. Judge David Breck entered a plea of not guilty for him and set a trial date of April 1.