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Martens Pleads Not Guilty in Two Counts of Assisting Suicide

VICTORIA, October 14, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Evelyn Martens, former head of the Right-to-Die Network of Canada, is denying in court that she 'helped' two women commit suicide. The 74 year old Martens entered her plea of not guilty in her Victoria trial on two counts of aiding and abetting suicide.

The two deceased women are Monique Charest and Leyanne Burchell. Martens admitted to an undercover police officer, who posed as Charest's god-daughter, that she was present at the woman's suicide.

The Crown told the court that although Charest, 64, had numerous medical problems, she was not terminally ill, and had spoken frequently of suicide. The Crown Attorney, Neil MacKenzie, said that police transcripts of Martens' conversation showed her intention to assist with Charest's suicide plans. He recounted that Martens said, "We had talked about this over two years and I said we can still change our plans. But she was so happy we were helping her with it. She wanted us there to help her with it, so she would not fail.'"

MacKenzie said that a search of Martens' van turned up equipment for committing suicide including an 'Exit Bag,' a plastic bag with a Velcro fastener to go around a victim's neck and helium tanks and prescription drugs made out to Burchell who was found dead by police on the day of Martens' arrest.

Martens faces a possible 14 years in prison if convicted. She is also being investigated by Irish police for possible involvement in the death of a Dublin woman with whom police say Martens communicated over the Internet and to whom she sold an Exit Bag. Martens is free on bail under strict conditions including a prohibition from using the Internet.

While the trial proceeds support for Martens has grown through websites campaigning for euthanasia. One organization, the Right to Die Association based in Toronto, claims to have raised $167,000 as of Aug 31.

Canadian Press coverage:
http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=6cbf11c9-1448-4490-8fa8-9acaf788c577

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