Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 27, 1995                   TAG: 9506270073
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SOUTHFIELD, MICH.                                LENGTH: Medium

KEVORKIAN ATTENDS 24TH DEATH

Erika Garcellano, 60, died at the clinic Kevorkian established ``for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of patients,'' his attorney, Geoffrey Fieger said.

Garcellano had suffered for at least three years from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, a degenerative nerve disorder, he said. She had been living at a nursing home in Kansas City, Mo., he said.

Fieger would not say how Garcellano died. Garcellano's two sons, John and Paul, and her friend Marjorie Jackson also were present when she died, Fieger said.

Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Larry Bunting said he was not aware of Garcellano's death.

A spokesman for Gov. John Engler said Kevorkian will be prosecuted.

``We don't have anything from the Sheriff's Department and we're reserving judgment until we know what the facts are,'' Bunting said.

The clinic, in Oakland County north of Detroit, was named the Margo Janus Mercy Clinic after Kevorkian's sister.

Janus, who crusaded with her brother for the right to assisted suicide, died last summer of a heart attack.

Fieger said the main purpose of the clinic is to provide a place for residents of other states to die.

``The intention of Dr. Kevorkian is to provide a foundation where other doctors can come forward and work with Dr. Kevorkian,'' Fieger said.

Kevorkian, a retired pathologist, also hopes the clinic can be used as a hospice and has long advocated establishing such a place, Fieger said.

Fieger would not comment on how the clinic is equipped or staffed. He said Kevorkian was not worried about protests at the clinic because he believes most people support its concept.

Garcellano's death was the 24th death he has attended since June 1990.

The Michigan Legislature enacted a ban on assisting in a suicide in February 1993. It expired in November 1994.

The state Supreme Court ruled in December that there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide. The court also found that assisting a suicide is illegal under common law.