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‘Dr. Death’s’ attorney discusses new Kevorkian archive at UM

Dr. Jack Kevorkian photo
Wikimedia Commons
Dr. Jack Kevorkian

In October, California became the fifth state to pass a death with dignity law, allowing for terminally ill people to obtain physician assisted suicides. The right to die movement, though, got its start much closer to home. It’s most visible and controversial advocate, Jack Kevorkian, went to the University of Michigan’s medical school and performed over 100 physician assisted suicides in the state. We talk to Mike Morganroth, an attorney and long time friend of Jack Kevorkian about his legacy and the impact he had on today’s debate over right to die legislation.

With a stroke of Governor Jerry Brown’s pen in October, California became the fifth state to allow physician assisted suicides. The debate over so called “death with dignity” laws has been thrust into the spotlight as more states consider enacting laws allowing terminally ill patients to obtain prescription drugs to end their lives.

But the right to die movement actually got its start in Michigan, home to its most famous and provocative advocate, Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

The public can now get a glimpse into the mind of the controversial figure.

Kevorkian’s alma mater, the University of Michigan, recently inherited a collection of his papers, art, and other materials.

Current State talks with attorney Mike Morganroth, a long-time friend of Jack Kevorkian.

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