PORTLAND, Ore, Apr 14 (Lifesitenews.com) – An investigation into a case of euthanasia in Oregon led to a finding that the “help” in the administration of lethal doses of drugs conformed to Oregon law. Lou Gehrig’s disease patient Patrick Matheny had applied for, and received, lethal drugs under Oregon’s assisted suicide law but he could barely swallow them so he was given “help” to die by his brother-in-law Joe Hayes.
According to the March 29 Weekly Standard, Coos County district attorney Paul Burgett found that Matheny’s death did not violate the state’s law. Further, Burgett noted that it would be “unlawful” not to enable disabled people to “accomplish their objectives.” Burgett’s statements were confirmed by the state’s deputy attorney general David Schuman who wrote on March 15, that Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act could be ruled discriminatory against disabled persons. A court, said Bryant could order “reasonable accommodation that would enable the disabled to avail themselves of the Act’s provisions.”