Saturday, September 03, 2005
Man Who Euthanizes Wife Goes Scot-Free
From The Independent
A 72-year-old man who killed his terminally ill wife in "an act of love" has been spared jail.
Donald Mawditt sedated his wife Maureen before suffocating her with a carrier bag at their home. He then rang 999 and said: "I've helped my wife kill herself."
Mr Mawditt, a retired nurse, yesterday pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but walked free after a judge ruled that a jail sentence was not appropriate.
The grandfather, who had been married to his wife for 50 years, broke down in tears as he was given a three year conditional discharge.
Euthanasia campaigners said the case highlighted the need for a change in the law to protect those involved in mercy killings.
If I were the judge I would also have had a hard time sending Mr Mawditt to jail. But this is sickening:
His daughter Karen, 45, said: "I admire my dad for what he did. He definitely did the right thing.
"I know it's what mum wanted. I think she would have been proud of him too."
It is not known how many mercy killings take place each year, but campaigners say it could run into hundreds.
Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, said mercy killings would continue until the law was changed to give the terminally ill the right to die.
How stark the contrast is. Once the Culture of Death is embraced, those who once would have been considered murderers and now considered heroes. There are often reasons that seem good for doing what is wrong. Once upon a time this was called temptation.
A 72-year-old man who killed his terminally ill wife in "an act of love" has been spared jail.
Donald Mawditt sedated his wife Maureen before suffocating her with a carrier bag at their home. He then rang 999 and said: "I've helped my wife kill herself."
Mr Mawditt, a retired nurse, yesterday pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but walked free after a judge ruled that a jail sentence was not appropriate.
The grandfather, who had been married to his wife for 50 years, broke down in tears as he was given a three year conditional discharge.
Euthanasia campaigners said the case highlighted the need for a change in the law to protect those involved in mercy killings.
If I were the judge I would also have had a hard time sending Mr Mawditt to jail. But this is sickening:
His daughter Karen, 45, said: "I admire my dad for what he did. He definitely did the right thing.
"I know it's what mum wanted. I think she would have been proud of him too."
It is not known how many mercy killings take place each year, but campaigners say it could run into hundreds.
Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, said mercy killings would continue until the law was changed to give the terminally ill the right to die.
How stark the contrast is. Once the Culture of Death is embraced, those who once would have been considered murderers and now considered heroes. There are often reasons that seem good for doing what is wrong. Once upon a time this was called temptation.
papijoe 8:31 PM
|