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by Scott Peterson
The former Faribault nurse charged with aiding two suicides online has been found guilty on both counts by a Rice County judge. Judge Thomas Neuville in his order indicates William Melchert-Dinkel is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of intentionally encouraging and advising an Englishman and a Canadian woman to commit suicide. Melchert-Dinkel had pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a jury trial, saying he accepted the evidence gathered in the case. The judge alone made the determination of Melchert-Dinkel’s guilt after examining nearly 1,000 pages of evidence. Melchert-Dinkel has been ordered to report for pre-sentencing within seven days of the day of the order. Rice County attorney Paul Beaumaster says he believes “justice has been done based on the facts of the case and the law in the state of Minnesota, which prevents the assisting or encouragement of suicide.”
