Minnesota nurse William Melchert-Dinkel’s second attempt to dismiss his trial for assisted suicide in the death of two people has failed.
Melchert-Dinkel is accused of encouraging former Carleton student Nadia Kajouji to commit suicide in 2008.
On Nov. 19, Melchert-Dinkel’s lawyer, Terry Watkins, requested the case be dismissed, arguing the court should not have jurisdiction, as the suicides took place outside of Minnesota, according to a court order from Judge Thomas Neuville filed Dec. 17.
Neuville denied the request because the emails written by Melchert-Dinkel encouraging the victims to commit suicide were sent from Minnesota and that allows prosecution to take place in that state, according to the order.
Watkins previously argued that his client was under the protection of freedom of speech. The argument was denied on Nov. 8.
Melchert-Dinkel is set to appear in court on Apr. 11, according to Kyle Christopherson, a communications specialist for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.