US:Jack Kevorkian, the pathologist known as "Dr Death" because of his claim to have participated in more than 100 assisted suicides, walked free yesterday after eight years in prison for second-degree murder.
Now 79, Kevorkian is forbidden from taking part in future assisted suicides but is free to speak in support of euthanasia if he chooses.
"The desire of the parole board was not to infringe on his freedom of speech. What they don't want is him offering information on how to build the device he has previously used for such things or how to create a system to assist in suicide," said Russ Marlan, a spokesman for Michigan's department of corrections.
Kevorkian was convicted in 1998 for his role in the death of Thomas Youk, a 52-year-old man with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Kevorkian videotaped Mr Youk receiving the fatal injection and CBS's 60 Minutes television show broadcast the tape two months later.
Kevorkian has promised never to help in another assisted suicide but his former legal assistant, Ruth Holmes, said his views on the subject had not changed. "This should be a matter that is handled as a fundamental human right," she said.
In 1997, Oregon became the only US state to legalise doctor-assisted suicide, and records show that 292 such suicides took place under that law between 1998 and 2006.
Efforts to pass similar measures in other states, including Michigan and Hawaii, have failed. However, in California next week, legislators are expected to vote on a "compassionate choices Act".
Kevorkian smiled to reporters as he walked out of prison yesterday and expressed delight at his release. "It's wonderful. It's one of the high points of life."
Kevorkian is to appear on 60 Minutes tomorrow. His lawyer, Mayer Morganroth, said his client would also hold a press conference on Tuesday.
"He thanks everybody for coming. He thanks the thousands who have supported him, have written to him, and the enormous amount of people who have really been comfortable in supporting him. He just wants a little privacy for the next few days," Mr Morganroth said.
Geoffrey Fieger, Kevorkian's former lawyer, said that once Kevorkian's probation period was over, he should continue assisting people who want to commit suicide.
"He's on a short leash for the next two years. After that, it will be another story. After two years, he no longer is going to be under their thumb," Mr Fieger said.