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Philly Nurse Speaks Out On Assisted Suicide Case

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — A Philadelphia nurse accused of helping her 93-year-old terminally ill father kill himself by handing him a bottle of morphine says she was unjustly prosecuted.

Barbara Mancini spoke Wednesday after a judge dismissed a felony assisted suicide charge against her. She said her ordeal was "unbearable torment" and feels relieved and happy for the first time in a year. (See Related Story)

Mancini was charged with giving a nearly full bottle of morphine to her father, Joseph Yourshaw, at for the purpose of helping him end his life. Yourshaw died at a hospital four days later after a hospice nurse called 911.

Mancini's husband says, "The endurance that Barbara has gone through this year has been an inspiration."

The dismissal of the charge came on the one year anniversary of her father's death.

Mancini says, "As happy as I am with this outcome it doesn't change the fact that the end of his life wasn't anything like he wanted it to be."

Barbara's father knew of her arrest and his final words were, "Don't hurt Barbara."  She said it has tortured her that her father was unable to die the way he had wished.

"His end of life wishes were violated so that will always disturb me."

Mancini was joined by Compassion & Choices, a group that supports aid in dying and other end-of-life decisions presented Mancini a check for $20,000. The group is urging Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane not to file an appeal. The office says they are reviewing case.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten)

 

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