Right to Die Trial Begins in Minnesota

HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) — Prosecutors say they'll prove a national right-to-die group assisted in the 2007 suicide of a 57-year-old Minnesota woman who suffered from chronic pain and depression.

Final Exit Network Inc. is on trial for allegedly assisting in the death of Doreen Dunn and interfering with a death scene.

Dakota County Prosecutor Elizabeth Swank told jurors in her opening statement Monday that evidence will show that two members of Final Exit Network went to Dunn's home, helped her take her life, then removed the equipment she used, leaving relatives, law enforcement and the medical examiner to believe she died of natural causes.

Robert Rivas, an attorney for Final Exit Network, acknowledged two people from the group sat with Dunn as she died, but said there's no proof they assisted in her death.