Earlier this month, a Montana District Court Judge ruled that “terminally ill” patients have a right to assisted suicide under that state’s constitution. Judge Dorothy McCarter dismissed the arguments that this was a legislative matter, and suggested that “terminally ill” and “competent” can be easily defined in terms of figuring out how to implement this “right.”
The Attorney General in Montana has asked Judge McCarter to put her ruling on hold while his office prepares and files a formal appeal to the ruling with the Montana Supreme Court.
Not Dead Yet intends to file an amicus brief in support of the expected appeal of the ruling by Judge McCarter. The legal team working on the brief – so far – is led by Steve Gold, with assistance from Robin Stephens.
We’re working with ADAPT/NDY activists in Montana on this – with Bob Liston and Marsha Katz playing leading roles.
As in the past, an amicus brief from NDY can be expected to present arguments that won’t be covered by other players.
Also, as in the past, we’ll be looking for sign-ons as the brief is readied and the time for filing nears.
More as this story develops. –Stephen Drake