William Melchert-Dinkle is one creepy dude. He's in legal trouble for his nasty little pastime of urging people via the web to commit suicide. Two did. And he's a nurse, no less. It's a sad commentary on our times where we might have to second guess every move nurses make around their patients.
Bench trial may not be the end of Minn. assisted suicide case
A judge in Rice County will hear oral arguments today in the case of a former nurse charged with aiding two suicides through Internet communications.
William Melchert-Dinkel's trial will be fast -- he's agreed to accept evidence brought against him and has waived his right to a jury trial, meaning the judge alone will decide if he's guilty.
The verdict, due within 20 days, will bring a degree of closure to a case that began more than five years ago with the suicide death of a man in England. But legal observers are more interested in what happens after the trial.
If Melchert-Dinkel is convicted, he could appeal based on issues his defense attorney has raised during pre-trial proceedings, including an argument that the 48-year-old Faribault man's actions were protected by his free-speech rights and therefore weren't crimes. more
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment