Drawing a Line between Killing and Letting Die: The Law,and Law Reform,on Medically Assisted Dying

Director Cruzan v. , Missouri Department of Health, 110 S.Ct. 2841 (1990); Weir Robert Gostin Lawrence O. , “Decisions to Abate Life-Sustaining Treatment for Non-Autonomous Patients: Ethical Standards and Legal Liability for Physicians After Cruzan,” JAMA, 264 (1990): 1846–1853.

Wrongful death statutes provide the primary civil remedy against a physician for assisted suicide. Since no case has addressed this issue, civil liability will not be discussed. Englehardt T. Mallory , “Suicide and Assisting Suicide: A Critique of Legal Sanctions,” S.W.L.J., 36 (1982): 1003.

Egan , “As Memory and Music Faded, Oregon Woman Chose Death,” N.Y. Times, June 7, 1990, at 1, col. 1.

“Death Machine’ Barred by Circuit Court,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, February 11, 1991, p.3; State ex rel. Kevorkian Thompson v. , No. 90-390-AZ (Oakland County, Feb. 5, 1991).

Freedman E. , “Dr. Death's' License Suspended by Medical Board,” The Detroit News, Nov. 20, 1991.

Wilkerson Isabel , “Suicide Doctor Tests Law, Stays With Man Who Dies,” N.Y. Times, May 17, 1993, A12.

Quill Timothy E. , “Death and Dignity—A Case of Individualized Decision Making,” N. Eng. J. Med., 324 (1991): 691–694.

Anon , “It's Over, Debbie,” JAMA, 259 (1988): 272; Lundberg G. , “It's Over Debbie’ and the Euthanasia Debate,” JAMA, 259 (1988): 2141–2.

Cranford Ronald , “Going Out in Style, the American Way, 1987,” Law, Med. & Health Care, 17 (1989): 208–210.

Schmidt W.E. , “Prosecutors Drop Criminal Case Against Doctor Involved in Suicide,” N.Y. Times, Dec. 15, 1990, p. 10, col. 5; Lewin T. , “Doctor Cleared of Murdering Woman With Suicide Machine,” N. Y. Times, December 14, 1990, p. B6, col. 1.

Altman L. , “Jury Declines to Indict a Doctor Who Said He Aided in a Suicide,” N.Y. Times, July 27, 1991, p. 1, col. 2.

Gross J. , “The 1991 Election: Euthanasia; Voters Turn Down Mercy Killing Idea,” N.Y. Times, Nov. 7, 1991, B16, col. 1.

Hilton Bruce , “Politics and Medicine,” Chicago Tribune, November 13, 1992, p. 7.

Singer P. Siegler M. , “Euthanasia—A Critique,” N. Eng. J. Med., 322 (1990): 1881; Wachter De , “Active Euthanasia in the Netherlands,” JAMA, 282 (1989): 3316.

Knox R. , “Poll: Americans Favor Mercy Killing,” Boston Globe, November 3, 1991, p. 1.

Humphry Derek , Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying, (Seacaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing, 1991).

Cassel Meier , “Morals and Moralism in the Debate Over Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide,” NEJM, 323 (1990): 750; Cassel

In re Guardianship of Grant, 109 Wash 2d 545, 747 P.2d 445 (1987), modified 757 P.2d 534 (1988); Brophy v . New England Sinai Hospital, 398 Mass. 417, 497 N.E. 2d 626 (1986).

President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, Deciding to Forego Life Sustaining Treatment, Report on Ethical, Medical and Legal Issues in Treatment Decisions (March 1983); Meisel A. , The Right to Die, (New York: John Wiley, 1989; 1991 Crim. Supp. No. 2. 1991).

Gostin Lawrence O. Weir Robert , “Life and Death Choices After Cruzan: Case Law and Standards of Professional Conduct,” Milbank Quart., 69 (1991): 143–173.

Director Cruzan v. , Missouri Department of Health, 110 S. Ct. 2841 (1990).

Bouvia v. Superior Court, 179 Cal. App. 3d 1127, 225 Cal. Rptr. 297 (1986).

Wons v. Public Health Trust, 541 So. 2d 96 (Fla. 1989); In re Fosmire, 75 N.Y. 218, 551 N.E. 2d 77 (1990).

Bouvia v. Superior Court, 179 Cal. App. 3d 1127, 225 Cal. Rptr. 297 (1986).

In re Peter, 108 N.J. 365, 529 A.2d 419 (1987).

In re Dinnerstein, 6 Mass. App. 466, 380 N.E. 2d 134 (Ct. App. 1978).

Rasmussen v. Flemming, 154 Ariz. 207, 741 P.2d 674 (1987).

In re Spring, 380 Mass. 629, 405 N.E. 2d 115 (1980).

Estate of Leach v. Shapiro, 13 Ohio App.3d 393, 469 NE2d 1047 (1984); Strachan v. John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, 209 NJ Super. 300, 507 A.2d 718 (App. Div. 1986), affirmed in part, reversed in part, 109 N.J. 523, 538 A.2d 346 (1988).

Barber v. Superior Court, 147 Cal. App. 3d 1006, 196 Cal. Rptr. 484 (1983).

In re Conroy, 98 N.J. 321, 486 A.2d 1209 (1985); In re Colyer, 99 Wash.2d 114, 660 P.2d 738 (1983); Superintendent of Belchertown State School v. Saikewicz, 373 Mass. 728, 370 N.E. 2d 417 (1977).

In re Longway, 133 Ill. 2d 33, 549 N.E.2d 292, 298 (1989).

In re Browning, 568 So.2d 4, 13 (Fla. 1990).

Meisel A. , The Right to Die, (New York: John Wiley, 1989, Crim. Supp. No 2, 1991).

Doody R. v. , 6 Cox Crim. Cas. 463 (1854); Hales v. Petit, 1 Plowd. 253, 75 Eng. Rep. 387 (C.B. 1565).

Shaffer C.D. , “Criminal Liability for Assisting Suicide,” Colum. L. Rev., 86 (1986): 348–376.

4 Blackstone W. , Commentaries 188–89; Hales v. Petit, 75 Eng. Rep. 387, 400 (KB 1565).

Blackburn v. State, 23 Ohio St. 146, 163 (1873);Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 110 S.Ct. 2841, 2859, Scalia J. concurring.

Smith G.P. , “All's Well That Ends Well: Toward a Policy of Assisted Rational Suicide or Merely Enlightened Self-Determination?” U.C. Davis L. Rev., 22 (1989): 275–419;State v. Willis, 255 N.C. 473, 121 S.E.2d 854 (1961).

Wallace v. State, 232 Ind. 700, 116 N.E.2d 100 (1953).

State v. Cobb, 229 Kan. 522, 625 P.2d 1133 (1981); State v. Fuller, 203 Neb. 233, 278 NW.2d 756 (1976).

Avon v. State, 102 Tex Crim. 478, 277 S.W. 1080 (1925).

Criminal homicide constitutes manslaughter when it is committed needlessly or under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance. Model Penal Code, sec. 210.3.

People v. Matlock, 51 Cal. 2d 682, 336 P.2d 505 (1959); Goodin v. State, 726 S.W. 2d 956 (Tex. App. Fort Worth 1987).

State v. Bouse, 199 Or. 676, 264 P.2d 800 (1953), overruled on other grounds, State v. Fischer, 232 Or 558, 376 P.2d 418 (1962).

229 Cal. App. 3d 367 (1991).

Model Penal Code, sec. 210.5.

La Fave W.R. Scott A.W. Jr. , Criminal Law, ( Paul St. , Minnesota: West Publishing Co. 2d ed 1980), sec. 7.8.

Kamisar Y. , “Some Non-Religious Views Against Proposed ‘Mercy Killing’ Legislation,” Minn. L. Rev., 42 (1958): 969–1042.

State v. Fuller, 203 Neb. 233, 241, 278 N.W. 2d 756, 761 (1979).

State v. West, 157 Mo. 309, 57 S.W. 1071 (1900).

Meisel A. , The Right to Die, (New York: John Wiley, 1989), Cum. Supp. No. 2, 1991 (AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, KS, ME, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TX, WA, WI); Recently, a bill was passed by the Georgia House on prohibiting assisted suicide. The bill was not enacted as of June 1993. “93 Georgia Legislature,” Atlanta Constitution, February 26, 1993, Sec. E at 3; G.P. Smith, “All's Well That Ends Well: Toward a Policy of Assisted Rational Suicide or Merely Enlightened Self-Determination?” U.C. Davis L. Rev., 22 (1989): 275–419; G.C. Garbesi, “The Law of Assisted Suicide,” Issues in Law & Med., 3 (1987): 93–111.

“Kevorkian Arrested in Suicide; Retired Doctor May Face Trial Under New Michigan Law,” Chicago Tribune, May 17, 1993, p. 3; Wilkerson Isabel , “Suicide Doctor Tests Law, Stays With Man Who Dies,” N.Y. Times, May 17, 1993, A12.

Marshall Steve , “Michigan Challenges Suicide Law Reversal,” USA Today, June 3, 1993, 3A.

HI, IN.

Note, “Criminal Liability of Participants in Suicide: State v. Williams,” Md. L. Rev., 5 (1941): 324; Commonwealth v. Dennis, 105 Mass. 162 (1870).

Chanslo v. State, 697 S.W.2d 393 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).

Burnett v., People, 204 Ill. 208, 68 N.E. 505 (1903); Blackburn v. State, 23 Ohio St. 146 (1870); People v. Roberts, 211 Mich. 187, 178 N.W. 690 (1920), overruled in People v. Campbell, 335 N.W. 2d 27 (Mich. App. 1983).

People v. Roberts, 211 Mich. 187, 178 N.W. 690 (1920), overruled in People v. Campbell, 335 N.W. 2d 27 (Mich. App. 1983).

State v. Bier, 181 Mont. 27, 591 P.2d 1115 (1979).

Persampieri v. Commonwealth, 343 Mass. 19, 175 N.E. 2d 387 (1961).

State v. Marti, 290 NW 2d 570 (Iowa 1980).

People v. Campbell, 335 N.W.2d 27 (Mich App. 1983); Avon v. State, 102 Tex. Crim. 478, 277 S.W. 1080 (1925).

Attorney General v. Able [1984] All ER. 277.

Nicholas R. v. Reed [1982] Crim. App. 819.

McCollum v. CBS, Inc., 202 Cal. App. 3d 989, 249 Cal. Rptr. 187 (2nd Dist. 1988).

“Survey, Euthanasia: Criminal, Tort, Constitutional and Legislative Considerations,” Notre Dame Lawyer, 48 (1973): 1202; Glantz Leonard H. , “Withholding and Withdrawing Treatment: The Role of the Criminal Law,” Law, Med. & Health Care, 15 (1987): 231–241.

N.Y. Times, Sept. 28, 1943, at 27, col. 2, (John Noxon convicted of murder for electrocuting his son who had Down's Syndrome).

N.Y. Times, April 4, 1950, at 60, col. 4. (Harold Mohr convicted or voluntary manslaughter for killing his cancer ridden brother while he was drinking).

(Roswell Gilbert shot his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and was sentenced to life imprisonment)

Glantz Leonard , “Withholding and Withdrawing Treatment: The Role of the Criminal Law,” Law, Med. & Health Care, 15 (1987): 231–241.

Morris A. , “Voluntary Euthanasia,” Washington Law Review 45 (1969), 239.

N.Y. Times, Feb. 24, 1950, at 1, col. 6.

N.Y. Times, Jan. 13, 1974, at 44. (Dr. Vincent Montemarano acquitted of killing a cancer patient with an injection of potassium chloride who died within five minutes).

Humphry Derek , ed. “Assisted Suicide: The Compassionate Crime,” (Hemlock Society, 1984), p. 16. (Nurse Anne Capute acquitted of murdering a cancer patient with an injection of 195 mgs of morphine within seven hours of her death); Green M. Grant M. , “A Florida Jury Finds No Guilt in Physician Peter Rosier's Trial,” Time Magazine, Dec. 19, 1988.

“Kevorkian Arrested in Suicide; Retired Doctor May Face Trial Under New Michigan Law,” Chicago Tribune, May 17, 1993, p. 3.

Rae-Dupree J. , “Wife, Doctor Won't Be Charged in Death,” LA Times, Nov. 6, 1991, B10, col. 4.

Pellegrino E.D. , “Ethics,” JAMA, 265 (1991): 3118–3119.

“Current Opinions of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs of the AMA-1989: Withholding or Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Treatment,” (Chicago, Ill: AMA, 1989).

Boston Globe/Harvard Poll, On “U.S. Attitudes Toward Death and Dying, Conducted by KRC Communications Research”, Oct 18–20, 1991 (national sample of 1,311 adults over age 18).

Wanzer S.H. Federman D.D. Adelstein S.J. , “The Physician's Responsibility Toward Hopelessly Ill Patients,” N. Engl. J, Med., 320 (1989): 844–849; Angell M. , “Don't Criticize Doctor Death,” N.Y. Times, June 14, 1990, A 27, col. 1; Quill Timothy E. Cassel Christine K. Meier Diane E. , “Care of the Hopelessly Ill; Proposed Clinical Criteria for Physician Assisted Suicide,” N. Engl. J. Med., 327 (1992): 1380–1384.

Note, “Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Right to Die With Assistance,” Harv. L. Rev., 105 (1992): 2021; Kamisar Yale , “Are Laws Against Assisted Suicide Unconstitutional?” Hastings Center Report, 23 (May-June 1993): 32–41.

Lundberg G.D. , “It's Over, Debbie’ and the Euthanasia Debate,” JAMA, 259 (1988): 2142–2143.

Wazner S.H. Federman D.D. Adelstein S.J. , “The Physician's Responsibility Toward Hopelessly Ill Patients,” N. Eng. J. Med., 320 (1989): 844–849.

Orentlicher D. , “Physician Participation in Assisted Suicide,” JAMA, 262 (1989): 1844–1845.

Kass L.R. , “Neither for Love or Money: Why Doctors Must Not Kill,” Public Interest, 94 (1989): 25–46.

Kipnos K. , “Physician Participation in Assisted Suicide (letter),” JAMA, 263 (1990): 1197–1198.