The law allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients. Michigan's second law outlawing physician-assisted suicide goes into effect. Michigan voters reject a proposal to legalize physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. The broadcast triggers an intense debate within medical, legal and media circles. 1998 Michigan charges Kevorkian with first-degree murder, violating the assisted suicide law and delivering a controlled substance without a license in the death of Youk.
Prosecutors later drop the suicide charge.
Kevorkian insists on defending himself during the trial and threatens to starve himself if he is sent to jail. He would be eligible for parole in six years. Kevorkian plans to appeal.