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Encouraging Suicide Isn’t a Crime, Minnesota Court Says
Wall Street Journal ^ | Mar 19, 2014 | JOE PALAZZOLO

Posted on 03/22/2014 1:58:25 PM PDT by nickcarraway

William Melchert-Dinkel, center, leaves the Rice County Courthouse with his attorney Terry Watkins, right, and wife, Joyce Melchert-Dinkel, in 2011. Associated Press Encouraging someone to commit suicide is not a crime, Minnesota’s high court ruled Wednesday, reversing the conviction of a nurse who urged people to hang themselves and let him watch via webcam.

William F. Melchert-Dinkel had been found guilty under a law that made it illegal to “advise, encourage, or assist” in a suicide.

The Minnesota Supreme Court concluded that advising or encouraging suicide was speech protected by the First Amendment and carved the words from the statute.

“We conclude that the State may prosecute Melchert-Dinkel for assisting another in committing suicide, but not for encouraging or advising another to commit suicide,” wrote Justice G. Barry Anderson for the majority.

The Rice County Attorney’s Office, which prosecuted the case, and a lawyer for Mr. Melchert-Dinkel didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: aca; suicide
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To: nickcarraway

soooo,
Then according to this court,
it is ok then for me to write obammy and the mooch encouring them both to off themselves?


21 posted on 03/23/2014 3:44:45 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) obammy lied and lied and lied)
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