Jack Kevorkian

Re “Kevorkian Is Sentenced to 10 to 25 Years,” April 14.

It was abundantly clear that Thomas Youk wanted Jack Kevorkian to end his life. It is baffling to me that this fact was not admissible in Kevorkian’s murder trial.

When a mentally competent adult gives his or her uncoerced, informed consent to give away property, it is not considered robbery. And when a mentally competent adult gives his or her uncoerced, informed consent to have sex, it is not considered rape. But when a mentally competent adult gives his or her uncoerced, informed consent to have someone end his or her life, it is considered murder.

Judge Jessica Cooper was legally correct in handing down her sentence. However, something is clearly wrong with a legal definition of murder that does not take into account the intent of the “victim.” Kevorkian is a hero for pointing this out.

JEFF SLOAN

Irvine

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I can only hope that Cooper never has to deal with a relative or close family friend with a painful and terminal disease. Dr. Kevorkian is no criminal. We need to face the fact that, in a society where cancer and other terminal diseases are ultimately big business for the medical world, we need people like Kevorkian to help those who are suffering find peace with dignity.

Murder? Hardly. Before his time? Maybe. But we need the Dr. Kevorkians, if only to relieve the suffering of those who are terminal with no positive prognosis.

PEG ACKERMAN

Pasadena

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Why not life? In my opinion, what Kevorkian did was unjust. He didn’t assist Youk to commit suicide, he killed him. By administering the drugs to Youk, especially on TV when millions were watching, Kevorkian became a murderer.

I don’t feel that 10 to 25 years is enough. In the span of nine years Kevorkian has assisted 130 suicides. Laws are just being considered against assisted suicide in many states; shouldn’t this have been considered 130 lives ago?

LANA PIERCE

Van Nuys