Published Tuesday, March 09, 2010 10:28 AM

Assisted suicide network members indicted in Ga.

By GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press

ATLANTA -- A Georgia grand jury has indicted four members of an assisted suicide group on charges they helped a 58-year-old with cancer kill himself.

The Forsyth County grand jury on Tuesday indicted former Final Exit Network president Thomas E. Goodwin and three others on charges of offering to assist in the commission of suicide, tampering with evidence and violating state anti-racketeering laws. The group was also indicted.

Members were arrested more than a year ago in connection with John Celmer's suicide at his Georgia home.

Authorities say the Final Exit Network has helped dozens of people kill themselves.

Defense attorney Don Samuel represents the network and medical director Dr. Lawrence D. Egbert, another of those charged. He says his clients will be exonerated. Messages were left for other attorneys.

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