Hugh Gale
Died February 15, 1993 in Macomb Country, Michigan
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Hugh Gale was 70 years old when he died. He had a condition where his lungs were damaged and enlarged causing it to be harder o breath and for him to be breathless most of the time: emphysema. He had had the condition for around 20 years before he sought out Kevorkian. Michigan, at this time, was one of the states that had not passed a law to make assisted suicide illegal allowing Kevorkian and Gale to go through with the decision. After he died, a case was called to decide whether or not Kevorkian was guilty of Man slaughter because their was slight evidence that did not lean in Kevorkian's favor. It was rumored that Hugh Gale had said, after Kevorkian put the mask over his face, "Take it off." This is what sparked the case to take place.
Kevorkian interviewing Hugh Gale four days before he died
Trial for Hugh Gale
The hearing was decided to be on March 22, 1993.
The Final Decision
"It is my decision that no charges will be filed against Dr. Jack Kevorkian or any other person in connection with the death of Hugh Gale. Mr. Gale's death can only be regarded as a suicide. Those present at the time of his death did nothing more than provide the means for him to accomplish a result that he desired. The great weight of evidence is that he never faltered in that desire up to the point that he lost consciousness."
~The Jury
~The Jury
