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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| 'Dr Death' released from US jail | 'Dr Death' released from US jail |
| (3 days later) | |
| Jack Kevorkian, the man known as Dr Death and who helped the terminally ill to die, has been released from prison in the US state of Michigan. | Jack Kevorkian, the man known as Dr Death and who helped the terminally ill to die, has been released from prison in the US state of Michigan. |
| Kevorkian was convicted in 1999 of the murder by injection of terminally ill Thomas Youk. A video of him dying was broadcast on television. | Kevorkian was convicted in 1999 of the murder by injection of terminally ill Thomas Youk. A video of him dying was broadcast on television. |
| Kevorkian, 79, had served eight years of a 10-25 year sentence. | Kevorkian, 79, had served eight years of a 10-25 year sentence. |
| He has pledged not to counsel people on suicide but says he will continue to fight for the right to euthanasia. | He has pledged not to counsel people on suicide but says he will continue to fight for the right to euthanasia. |
| Kevorkian won parole after an appeal based on his own failing health. | Kevorkian won parole after an appeal based on his own failing health. |
| He emerged from prison, with his lawyer and a correspondent for the CBS television network, saying the release was "one of the high points of life", the Associated Press news agency reported. | He emerged from prison, with his lawyer and a correspondent for the CBS television network, saying the release was "one of the high points of life", the Associated Press news agency reported. |
| TV interview | TV interview |
| The BBC's Jeremy Cooke in New York says Jack Kevorkian was among the most controversial and divisive figures in 1990s America. | The BBC's Jeremy Cooke in New York says Jack Kevorkian was among the most controversial and divisive figures in 1990s America. |
| His intent, I believe, has always been to gain notoriety Tina Allerellie, sister of assisted suicide woman Kevorkian rejoins debate | His intent, I believe, has always been to gain notoriety Tina Allerellie, sister of assisted suicide woman Kevorkian rejoins debate |
| The elderly former pathologist insisted that patients living in pain had the right to die. | The elderly former pathologist insisted that patients living in pain had the right to die. |
| Our correspondent says Kevorkian proudly claimed to have helped some 130 people to end their lives, many using his so-called mercy machine, which delivered lethal amounts of drugs intravenously. | Our correspondent says Kevorkian proudly claimed to have helped some 130 people to end their lives, many using his so-called mercy machine, which delivered lethal amounts of drugs intravenously. |
| Some of the assisted suicides were in the back of his Volkswagen van. | Some of the assisted suicides were in the back of his Volkswagen van. |
| His methods alienated many. In 1998 he offered on a "first come, first served" basis the kidneys of a man he had helped to die. | His methods alienated many. In 1998 he offered on a "first come, first served" basis the kidneys of a man he had helped to die. |
| Thomas Youk's death was shown on national television | Thomas Youk's death was shown on national television |
| Kevorkian fought a long battle with the authorities in Michigan, thwarting four attempts to convict him despite the revocation of his medical licence in 1991 and a ban on assisted suicides to stop his work. | Kevorkian fought a long battle with the authorities in Michigan, thwarting four attempts to convict him despite the revocation of his medical licence in 1991 and a ban on assisted suicides to stop his work. |
| Thomas Youk suffered from ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, a wasting disorder of the nervous system, also known as motor neurone disease. | |
| A jury convicted Kevorkian of second-degree murder after watching the video of him injecting lethal drugs into Mr Youk. | A jury convicted Kevorkian of second-degree murder after watching the video of him injecting lethal drugs into Mr Youk. |
| Kevorkian had sent the video for broadcast on the CBS show 60 Minutes. | Kevorkian had sent the video for broadcast on the CBS show 60 Minutes. |
| He plans to return to the show in an interview on Sunday. | He plans to return to the show in an interview on Sunday. |
| Prior to his release, Kevorkian told a TV station in Detroit: "[Euthanasia] has got to be legalised. I'll work to have it legalised but I sure won't break any laws." | Prior to his release, Kevorkian told a TV station in Detroit: "[Euthanasia] has got to be legalised. I'll work to have it legalised but I sure won't break any laws." |
| Jack Kevorkian with his "mercy machine" in 1991 | Jack Kevorkian with his "mercy machine" in 1991 |
| His release coincides with a key vote next week in California on allowing assisted suicides. Only the state of Oregon has passed such legislation. | His release coincides with a key vote next week in California on allowing assisted suicides. Only the state of Oregon has passed such legislation. |
| Kevorkian's release has brought mixed emotions from the relatives of those he helped die. | Kevorkian's release has brought mixed emotions from the relatives of those he helped die. |
| Thomas Youk's brother, Terry, said: "It was a medical service that was requested and... compassionately provided by Jack. It should not be a crime." | Thomas Youk's brother, Terry, said: "It was a medical service that was requested and... compassionately provided by Jack. It should not be a crime." |
| But Tina Allerellie believed her sister, Karen Shoffstall, was suffering depression and doubted that she wanted to die. | But Tina Allerellie believed her sister, Karen Shoffstall, was suffering depression and doubted that she wanted to die. |
| "His intent, I believe, has always been to gain notoriety," Ms Allerellie said. | "His intent, I believe, has always been to gain notoriety," Ms Allerellie said. |