Minnesota man sentenced to 90 days for assisting the suicide of his wife.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

A Minnesota man who was convicted of assisting the suicide of his wife has been sentenced to 90 days in a county workhouse.

*Minnesota man charged with assisting the suicide of his wife (Link). 

Thomas Houck & Linda Conrad.

The Associated Press reported:

Thomas Houck earlier pleaded guilty to helping his 59-year-old wife, Linda Conrad, end her life last summer. Officials say she suffered from chronic migraines, severe stomach pain and depression.

Statutes call for up to 15 years in prison upon conviction for assisted suicide. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says the judge gave Houck a lighter sentence last week "probably because both the mother and ex-husband of the victim sent letters of support" on his behalf.

Houck admitted to helping his wife obtain and purchase the suicide equipment. During police interrogation Houck admitted that he directly participated in the act. Further to that, Houck admitted to disposing of the suicide equipment, etc.

Minnesota man charged with assisting his wife's suicide.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Thomas Houck & Linda Conrad

A Minnesota man has been charged with assisted suicide after admitting to aiding his wife's suicide, but he also admitted to participating in the act.

According to reports (no link provided due to the description of the death) Thomas Houck, who was charged with aiding the suicide of his wife in Minnesota, originally told the police, when he called 911 on August 16, that he woke up to find his wife, Linda Conrad, dead from suicide. 

Houck later admitted to helping his wife find and purchase the equipment used for the suicide. During police interrogation Houck admitted that he directly participated in the act. Further to that, Houck admitted to disposing of the equipment, etc.

Minnesota law defines Aiding Suicide as: Whoever intentionally advises, encourages, or assists another in taking the other's own life.

Houck not only advised and assisted the suicide, but he also carried out the act.