Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 1999)
Kevorkian sentenced to 10-25 years PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who videotaped him self giving a man a lethal injection and dared prosecutors to stop his assisted suicide campaign, was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison Tuesday by a judge who told him: “Sir, consider yourself stopped.” Kevorkian, who turns 71 next month, grinned as he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs, saying to a friend, “Justice?” He said nothing when given the opportunity to speak at his sentencing. Judge Jessica Cooper refused to release him on bail while he appeals his murder conviction, saying she couldn’t trust his promise not to take part in any more suicides. “That is what he believes his life mission is,” she said. In addition to giving Kevorkian the sentence prosecutors asked for, the judge handed him three to seven years for delivery of a controlled substance. The sentences will run concurrently, and Kevorkian will be eligible for parole after six years and eight months, a prosecutor said. He could have gotten life in prison. Defense attorney David Gorosh said that he was surprised by the judge’s decision and that he hopes it does not amount to a life sentence for Kevorkian: “It would be a terrible tragedy to lose such a heroic figure in American life.” The widow and brother of Thomas Youk, the 52-year-old Lou Gehrig’s disease patient whose videotaped death was shown on “60 Minutes” last fall, pleaded for leniency. But Cooper was adamant as she lectured Kevorkian. “This trial was not about the politi cal or moral correctness of euthana sia,” the judge said. “It was about you, sir. It was about lawlessness. It was about disrespect for a society that exists because of the strength of the legal system.” “No one, sir, is above the law. No one,” she continued. “You had the audacity to go on national television, show the world what you did and dare the legal system to stop you. Well, sir, consider yourself stopped.” On 60 Minutes, ’ Kevorkian threatened a hunger strike if sent to prison - a claim he has not repeated. If tie does go on a hunger strike, Michigan prison policy calls for Forced feeding. Kevorkian injected Youk with lethal chemicals on Sept. 17 at Youk’s request. Youk was in a wheelchair, :ould barely move his arms or legs and was afraid of choking to death on his Dwn saliva. Medical examiners considered the ieath suspicious. But they had little to go on until Kevorkian sent a videotape to CBS. The tape and the “60 Minutes” interview with Kevorkian were the prosecution’s main evidence. It was the first murder trial for Kevorkian, a retired pathologist who says he has been involved in 130 deaths since 1990, and the first time he was found guilty of taking part in a ieath. His previous trials, all on assist 5d-suicide charges, resulted in three acquittals and one mistrial. In past cases, Kevorkian said his patients used his homemade devices to start the flow of carbon monoxide or intravenous chemicals that caused heir death. In Youk’s case, Kevorkian administered the injection. “I think as far as he’s concerned he hinks that what he did was proper,” Kevorkian attorney Mayer Morganroth said. “He knew the risks, and in order to move the process he look the risks.” Kevorkian represented himself for most of his short trial, which ended last month with a second-degree murder :onviction. He compared himself to :ivil rights heroes and all but asked the iury to disregard the law, saying that some acts “by sheer common sense are lot crimes.” Three men arrested in drug bust A drug bust that began late Monday night and continued through early Tuesday morning resulted in three arrests, Lincoln police said Sgt. Terry Sherrill said members of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Unit arrested a 24-year-old Lincoln man at 7:11 p.m. as he was walking into a house in the 300 block of F Street with one pound of metham phetamine. After waiting for a search warrant, Sherrill said, authorities found another four ounces of methamphetamine and a pound of marijuana in a car parked out side the residence. After finding the drugs, he said, they arrested a 33-year old man whose address was not known and a 30-year-old Grand Island man who had been in the car. All three men were in the Lancaster County Jail on Tuesday night. The Lincoln man was arrested for conspira cy to deliver a controlled substance. The other two men were arrested for posses sion of a controlled substance and pos session of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Robbers snatch purse Two robbers took off with a woman’s purse Monday night Sherrill said a 55-year-old woman was walking near Touzalin Avenue and Hartley Street at 8:55 p.m. when two men ran behind her. One of the men grabbed the woman’s purse from her right shoulder, he said. Both men fled east on Hartley Street, knocking the woman to the ground, he said Police later recovered the purse on 68th Street between Hartley and Fremont streets. Sherrill said the woman’s wallet was missing from the purse. Compiled by staff writer Shane Anthony "———=———^ You are Cordially invited to the Dedication of the newly expanded and renovated Music on the Plaza 12 N-4PM Rain Site: Union Lounge im Spring is here, jdk are you ready? I ATTENTION: PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR ON CAMPUS NEW MEMBERS NEEDED FOR CCSPC The Chancellor’s Commission on tl committee comprised of studi includes: collecting inform rectly advising the Chancelloi of Color. Currently, there an faculty as members of the Co’ tus of People of Color (CCSPC) is a culty at UNL. Our mission of the UNL community, di action on behalf of all People 2000 for students, staff and sted faculty and staff send a , 231 Mabel Lee Hall 0234. aission. letter of interest and a resume to Arrii$ JHjjj Applications for students may be obtained from Ardis at the above address or call her at 472-5401. ATTENTION: EVERYONE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE. OF COLOR OPEN FORUMS The Chancellor’s Commissioi forums: 1) Monday, April 19, 1999, 2) Monday, April 19, 1999, 'le of Color will host two open pus Union us Union An important goal of the ComiaissiO&ifejve campus life for people of color at UNL. These forums are meeting foplplnid^iiiopportunity for the university commu nity to converse with the Chancellor and other UNL administrators about issues that you find pertinent. Your input will help improve our campus. NEBRASKA Spirit Squad Try-outs Mascot, Yell Squad & Dance Team Try-outs April 15-17 in Mable Lee Hall Registration & First Cuts on April 15 @ 5:00 pm *For more information call Trace or Beth @ 472-0775 The Phoenix Texturizer Not a perm but a volu mizer gives fullness and lift for a style with memory. The Phoemx Hhir Artists 3810 Normal Blvd. • open evenings 483-4726