![Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses Convictions In Aiding-Suicide Case](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/02/Minnesota-Supreme-Court-300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses Convictions In Aiding-Suicide Case
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Supreme Court has reversed the convictions of a former nurse accused of encouraging two people whom he met online to kill themselves.
The court ruled Wednesday that the language in the state's assisted-suicide law is unconstitutional when it comes to "encouraging" suicides. But it found the part of the law that bans "assisting" suicide is constitutional.
It sent the case against 51-year-old William Melchert-Dinkel back to a lower court.
Melchert-Dinkel argued that the law was too broad and that his conduct was protected speech. His 360-day jail sentence had been on hold pending the outcome of the appeal.
Prosecutors say Melchert-Dinkel encouraged someone from England and someone from Canada to kill themselves.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)