Suicide Assister Will Not Be Charged

This brief news article reports on the case of James Martin who admitted on ABC late night television that he had helped Keith Lower, who was suffering from AIDS-related complex, to commit suicide. The decision not to charge Martin was based on the legal requirement that the prosecution be able to prove the basic elements of the crime independent of any confession. This case seems to demonstrate that the act of helping a loved one die is private & there is no danger of criminal prosecution. (GW)