[Norman Bates]

“Euthanasia is an execrable practice, but this case doesn’t appear to fit the definition.”

What euphemism are you using for this happening?

[normanpubbie]

Euthanasia, killing someone or helping a person to kill himself or herself, is purely and simply murder. Intent is an integral part of euthanasia. According to the sitting NOLA DA and the law professor quoted in the article, intent is absent here.

The reason I mentioned euthanasia is that posts numbered 5,6,7, and 9 implied that the doctor performed euthanasia.

Mamzelle, the question you posed in post #8 occurred to me, too. What did the doctor mean by "getting rid" of the patient? Dr. Cook's explanation for his actions is quoted further down in the article and I cited it in my post #13 because it is relevant to the story.

HiTech, in post #12, you posed a fair question and here is my answer. I don't see a slippery slope; I see instead a bright line. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, AKA "Doctor Death," served 8 1/2 years of a 25-year sentence for second-degree murder. Kevorkian intended to kill people. Do you see the difference?