We understand that suicide can be an impulsive act and that alcoholism, substance abuse and access to lethal means can increase its likelihood.

CNN: Why more Americans are dying of suicide

In her ruling, McMillan said that it was clear from the tape that Kevorkian intended to help Youk kill himself, that he delivered a controlled substance by injecting him with lethal doses of drugs and that his help in planing Youk's death proved premeditation.

CNN: Kevorkian Case: Kevorkian trial set

COMMANDED, at some hour after 6:00 p.m. on the 17th day of February, 2004, at the Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville, Texas, to carry out this sentence of death by intravenous injection of a substance or substances in a lethal quantity sufficient to cause the death of said Cameron Todd Willingham.

NEWYORKER: Trial by Fire