This is not a trial. This is a lynching. There is no law.
— Jack Kevorkian
Let's hope you feel better now.
None of them want to delay. Understand that. None of them.
Maybe I won't stay out of prison. Who knows?
Am I a criminal? The world knows I'm not a criminal. What are they trying to put me in jail for? You've lost common sense in this society because of religious fanaticism and dogma.
You can cite me for contempt, Your Honor. I don't care.
I will admit, like Socrates and Aristotle and Plato and some other philosophers, that there are instances where the death penalty would seem appropriate.
The Supreme Court of the United States... has validated the Nazi method of execution in... concentration camps, starving them to death.
I knew I was getting into one of the most illegal things in the world. It was the right thing to do.
She made the decision that her existence had lost its meaning. And you cannot judge that.
I don't persuade to suicide.
Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony.
I will go to what they call a court. Only they call it a court.
I don't enjoy good food. I don't enjoy flashy cars. I don't care if I live in a dump. I don't enjoy good clothes. This is the best I've dressed in months.
What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That's not a smile.
My religion centers in different areas than what's considered conventional religion.
As a medical doctor, it is my duty to evaluate the situation with as much data as I can gather and as much expertise as I have and as much experience as I have to determine whether or not the wish of the patient is medically justified.
My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.
The patient's autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary - the decision is contrary to best medical advice and what the physician wants.
First of all, do any of you here think it's a crime to help a suffering human end his agony? Any of you think it is? Say so right now. Well, then, what are we doing here?
Listen, when you take my liberty away, you've taken away more-something more precious than life. I mean, what good is a life without liberty? Huh? None.
You're basing your laws and your whole outlook on natural life on mythology. It won't work. That's why you have all these problems in the world. Name them: India, Pakistan, Ireland. Name them-all these problems. They're all religious problems.
A transfer of money should never be involved in this profound situation. Although illness is profound, too, but medicine's a business today. It's a business.
I'm for absolute autonomy of the individual, and an adult, competent woman has absolute autonomy. It's her choice.
Among doctors in general, I think more than half support what I'm doing.
The patient decides when it's best to go.
My intent was to carry out my duty as a doctor, to end their suffering. Unfortunately, that entailed, in their cases, ending of the life.
