Dr. Jack Kevorkian was freed from jail and taken to a hospital Friday after promising a judge that he will not help anyone else die while appeals courts consider the constitutionality of assisted suicide.
The ruling lowering his bond to $100, which was quickly posted, came on the 18th day of a hunger strike that the suicide doctor has staged in jail. The bail had been set at $50,000.A feeble-looking Kevorkian, who came to court on a wheelchair, told Oakland County Circuit Judge Jessica Cooper: "I must and will pledge that I will not participate in . . . what I call medicide until the matter is resolved by higher courts of this state or a vote of the public at large."
Kevorkian was driven away in the car of his attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, about 10:30 a.m., and he arrived at Sinai Hospital in Detroit a short time later. Fieger said Kevorkian would be treated for dehydration and examined for possible organ damage as a result of the hunger strike.
The bond was posted by a Kevorkian supporter, John Tydings of Baltimore. Earlier, Tydings had offered to pay Kevorkian's $50,000 bond but was turned down by Kevorkian.
Kevorkian has attended 20 deaths since 1990, including five since assisting suicide was made illegal in Michigan. He is challenging the constitutionality of the law, which was passed to stop him. He argues that suffering people have a right to die with dignity and get medical help in doing so.
Cooper lowered the bail during a hearing that a weakened, unshaven Kevorkian attended in a wheelchair. Kevorkian has refused solid food since he was jailed Nov. 30, saying he was prepared to die in jail for his beliefs. Last weekend, he was briefly hospitalized after complaining of chest pains.
Cooper said Kevorkian would be placed on an electronic tether so officials could monitor his whereabouts.
She said the $50,000 bond was excessive for a charge like assisted suicide, and noted that Kevorkian could face contempt of court charges if he breaks his word not to help anyone else commit suicide while the state appeals court and Supreme Court consider the issue.
"We love you, Jack," one supporter shouted as Kevorkian was wheeled from the courtroom. He looked up and nodded.