Ontario man expected to plead guilty in aiding-suicide case

Kenneth Law is expected to plead guilty Friday to 14 counts of aiding suicide, with prosecutors withdrawing first-degree murder charges in a case that drew international attention.

Law, 60, sold deadly substances including sodium nitrite online through several websites, shipping approximately 1,200 packages to people in more than 40 countries. Police say victims were people between ages 16 and 36 at risk of self-harm, some of whom died by suicide.

Law was scheduled to stand trial last month in Newmarket, Ontario, on 14 counts each of first-degree murder and aiding suicide. His lawyer indicated last month that murder charges would be withdrawn in favour of guilty pleas on the lesser charges.

Families of victims in the United Kingdom said the country's National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service informed them that Law will not face charges there because extradition would be lengthy and any Canadian sentence would be similar.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, Canada's national suicide prevention helpline.