WESTBROOK -- A Westbrook man is facing charges after State Police said he assisted a family member in suicide and now supporters of assisted suicide are speaking out.
Kevin Connors turned himself into police on Thursday, after police said he assisted a family member in dying by suicide in September of 2018.
State police charged the 65-year-old man with second degree manslaughter.
Earlier this year, state lawmakers considered the “aid in dying” bill that would essentially legalize assisted suicide -- allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to adults who are terminally ill and have less than six months to live.
The measure was the focus of intense debate – but died in committee in April of this year.
Time Appleton works for Compassion and Choices- an organization that focuses on improving care and expanding options for people at “the end of life.”
Although he said they don’t know enough details about Connors case to say if the family member could have benefitted from the aid in dying bill.
“With so many states passing these laws, now over 20 percent of Americans have access to these laws, zip codes are defining end of life care and end of life choices for some, that’s wrong, Connecitcut should do better,” Appleton said.
However there are advocates for those with disabilities who are worried families could take advantage of the bill if it was enacted.
He was released on $50,000 bond and will appear in court on Friday.