Euthanasia Prevention Group Demands Lifting of Publication Ban On Euthanasia Activist Murder Trial

VANCOUVER, June 20, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A case against pro-euthanasia activist Evelyn Martens is proceeding after provincial court Judge Brian Mackenzie ruled there was enough evidence to move to trial.  Marten, 71, is charged with assisting the suicides of Vancouver teacher Leyanne Burchell, 52, and ex-nun Monique Charest, 64.  Trial dates will be set in B.C. Supreme Court on July 8, however there is a publication ban on the case.  The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) believes that it is in the interest of the public for the publication ban on this case to be removed. “The fact that the investigation has produced enough information that the case is going forward tells us that the public need to know the severity of the possible transgression of the law that has taken place.  We are concerned that if the silence is allowed to continue the Right to Die Society will be able to use that to their advantage by undermining the truth with propaganda,” stated EPC Executive Director Alex Schadenberg.  (with files from the Times Colonist (Victoria) Tue 17 Jun 2003 Page: C2 Section: Capital Region/B.C.)