Supreme Court Will Review Assisted Suicide

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WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a move that could put an end to Dr. Jack Kevorkian's courtroom theatrics, the Supreme Court will decide whether bans on assisted suicide are constitutional. The court announced Tuesday that it will review rulings from federal appeals courts that struck down laws in New York and Washington State banning assisted suicide. The move comes a year after the court refused to hear Kevorkian's challenge of a similar law in Michigan. After the announcement, Kevorkian lawyer Geoffrey Fieger accused the court of trying to only review cases which would set precedents unfavorable to his client: "They took the two cases that supported Kevorkian's view so they could overturn them. There are judges on the court who want to get Kevorkian." A ruling could also serve to clarify an earlier right to die decision by the Supreme Court. In overturning the New York law, the appeals court cited a 1990 Supreme Court ruling that the terminally ill can legally refuse medical attention that would save their lives. The appeals court said it is discriminatory to refuse to let patients end their lives with medication while granting requests by others to have their life-support systems disconnected. A ruling is expected by next July. -->