New developments are emerging with a suicide assistance group that has a connection to Southwest Florida. Four members of the group, Final Exit, including a Charlotte County man, will no longer have to stand trial.

This morning, the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's assisted suicide law, saying that it violates the free speech clauses of the Georgia and U.S. constitutions, effectively ending the case against Goodwin and three other members.

Goodwin, Final Exit's former president, a co-founder, a regional coordinator and a member were indicted in 2010 for helping with the suicide of a Forsyth County, Georgia man who killed himself two years after being diagnosed with cancer. Then, they challenged Georgia's assisted suicide law meant to punish people like the late Jack Kervorkian.

The state's Supreme Court justices found the law flawed because it only criminalized assisted suicides that included a public advertisement or offer to assist. The judges ruled that since prosecutors couldn't explain why the ad is enough to violate protected speech they couldn't make it a crime. Prosecutors have said if the suicide law was struck down they would dismiss the entire case.

In reaction, Goodwin told the Atlanta Journal Constitution Monday morning he's relieved by the decision. He also said, "This is a bittersweet victory, because I'm saddened by what we've been put through. I'm also sad for all the people who would have benefited from our compassionate presence at their life's bitter end over the last three years."    

The lawyer for Goodwin and the others says there's little doubt the Georgia legislature needed to do a better job. That this statute outlawed speech, which is something the law cannot do.

Goodwin also told the Atlanta newspaper that when the charges are formally dropped, "We'll move forward as activists in our movement for all mentally competent adults."