OPENING STATEMENTS BEGIN WEDNESDAY IN A TRIAL THAT'S EXPECTED TO DECIDE WHETHER DOCTORS IN NEW MEXICO CAN HELP TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS END THEIR LIVES. THE TRIAL IN STATE DISTRICT COURT IN ALBUQUERQUE WAS PROMPTED BY A LAWSUIT FILED IN MARCH 2012 BY TWO DOCTORS AND A CANCER PATIENT.
THE SUIT SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE CURRENT DECADES-OLD LAW THAT STATES THAT WHOEVER ASSISTS A SUICIDE IS GUILTY OF A FOURTH-DEGREE FELONY. LAWYERS REPRESENTING DOCTORS KATHERINE MORRIS AND AROOP MANGALIK, AND SANTA FE CANCER PATIENT AJA RIGGS, ARGUE THAT THE LAW IS VAGUE AND DOES NOT DEAL WITH THE CONDUCT OF LICENSED PHYSICIANS.
