Skip to main content

A Canadian man facing 14 murder charges will plead guilty to aiding suicide, his lawyer says

VANCOUVER, British Colombia (AP) — A Canadian man facing murder charges for allegedly selling lethal substances online to people at risk of self-harm has agreed to plead guilty to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, his lawyer said on Saturday.

In turn, Canadian prosecutors will withdraw all 14 murder charges filed against Kenneth Law, lawyer Matthew Gourlay told The Associated Press in a email.

“The plea will be to the charges of aiding suicide,” he said in an email. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation first reported the plea.

Law will make a virtual appearance by Zoom before a Newmarket, Ontario, court on Monday afternoon for the purpose of further scheduling, Gourlay said. The plea and the sentencing will take place at a later date.

Calls to Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General weren’t immediately answered.

Canadian police say Law, from the Toronto area, used a series of websites to market and sell sodium nitrite, a substance commonly used to cure meats that can be deadly if ingested. They say he is suspected of sending at least 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries.

Authorities in the United States, Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand also have launched investigations.

It is against the law in Canada for someone to recommend suicide, although assisted suicide has been legal since 2016 for people aged at least 18. Any adult with a serious illness, disease or disability may seek help in dying, but they must ask for assistance from a physician.

Law has been in custody since his arrest at his Mississauga, Ontario, home in May 2023.

According to the Canadian Criminal Code, abetting suicide carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. A murder conviction automatically means life in prison, with no chance of parole for at least 25 years.

___

Associated Press writer Rob Gillies reported from San Francisco.

US to host Hungary in Billie Jean King Cup playoffs and France draws Australia

LONDON (AP) — The United States will host Hungary in the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs in November when the record 18-time champion looks to get back on track in women’s team tennis. The U.S. reached the final last year for the first time since 2018 but lost to Belgium 3-1 this month in qualifying for this year's finals. Hungary should include Anna Bondár, a BJK Cup regular who on Thursday at the Madrid Open beat No. 7-ranked Elina Svitolina and became the first Hungarian woman to beat a top-10 player since Timea Babos beat Coco Vandeweghe in 2018. Also in Thursday’s draw for the Cup playoffs, France will host Australia in a first meeting since the 2019 final won by France in Perth; and Brazil will host 2023 champion Canada.
Read Next Story