A good or bad thing to do?

[geo]

if the story about her really wanting to die is true (which you can't really tell as she didn't give any proof) then i guess it's okay, although i can't even begin to imagine how hard that would have been for him and idk how brought himself to do it. i guess he just did what she wanted but in maybe the wrong way, idk. this is a real hard one and i'm kinda stuck as to what i think

[Kardan]

If she consented, then he should have the right to do it, but it's a shame that the government think otherwise...

[Sian]

Not only am I for the whole "if consented then they should get their wish" ordeal, but also, could you really imagine an 80 year old man doing it for nothing more than love and respect when it's his wife? I can't.

[GommeInc]

Regardless of the possible sentences, imagine what must of been going on in his mind when carrying out such an act on someone you care about.

That said, it is important to know if she consented. Like @Stephen! said, a recorded message, preferably video, and even an accompanying letter written by the wife would be incredibly useful for this otherwise it's going to come off as a murder than a mercy killing - consensual or otherwise.

[Kyle]

What do you mean by "terrible pain"? Terminal illness or just a bit of a headache? If it's established that she was terminally ill then I'd definitely assume it was a mercy killing and, given their relationship and high probability that she would have asked him, it's acceptable. Because of his age it's unlikely that he'll be sentenced, regardless of his motives, but he'll still have to live with the fact that his wife is now gone and that is down to him. Poor chap.

[IceNineKills]

im not sure what kind of pain she was in. just got told that she had been in bad pain for ages.

[Grig]

2 days ago, an old man on my block 'killed' his wife. she was in terrible pain, being 78 herself and from what i've been told, she wanted to die to end the pain. her husband, 85 years old, suffocated her with a pillow to end her misery.

at the moment we're not sure if the 85 year old man is going to be charged with anything or do prison time.


was he in the right to do this, or the wrong? and would you put this man into prison?

Thread moved here by Bolt660 (Forum Moderator): From 'Discuss Anything' as its more suited here.

This was similar to a debate I just did, whether it's moral to choose death by choice in such circumstances such as pain.

I would argue that it's up to the said person, if they are genuinely in as much pain and guaranteed to die anyway and plead someone to kill them to avoid it, then they have every right.

[Charz777]

I think I'm the only person who thinks it's wrong. If a person wants to take their own life then fair enough. But to consent for another to take a life is unfair on the person who 'kills' them. The man can't have wanted her to die if he loved her and it must have pained him so much to have done it. And it would have been the worst situation for him. He did what he thought was best for her but at his own pain and sorrow and guilt. And this could scar him mentally. It's horrible. And now he could face charges and all sorts of life ruining stuff as a result. The woman should never have consented and he should never have agreed to it. Technically he murdered someone, no I don’t think he should be charged, but what they did between them is horrendous. How do we know she consented? Could be a murderer? Awful situation to bring upon himself. If he’s innocent I feel awful for the poor man.

[dggood]

The debate in what you guys are wanting to talk about here is 'Euthanasia' for those of you that dont know, it is the act of ending ones life in order to relieve pain or suffering.
However the manner in which the event occurred does not fall under euthanasia, because it requires a 'peaceful ending of ones life without suffering', and well... Suffocate.. suff...suffer....Suffocate.. suffering.. I'm sure you see what i am doing here.
So it is questionable the intent of the event, as there are many ways to end a life then to suffocate with a pillow, however out of respect if it is the care we shouldn't question the morals further unless evidence suggested otherwise.
Unfortunately he would most likely go to jail, as it has been a while since the first post. It would be interesting to see if i am wrong, but euthanasia is a crime and is only acceptable in some Asian cultures i believe. Therefore under the law he did break it and would most likely go to jail, i don't agree with it. Some peoples lives aren't really living with the conditions they are in and it can be quite unfair, in my opinion almost torture.
What he would have been better of doing, would have been to try an aid in her ending her own life, and suicide is also illegal however the victim is not able to face charges.

[Catchy]

What do you mean by "terrible pain"? Terminal illness or just a bit of a headache? If it's established that she was terminally ill then I'd definitely assume it was a mercy killing and, given their relationship and high probability that she would have asked him, it's acceptable. Because of his age it's unlikely that he'll be sentenced, regardless of his motives, but he'll still have to live with the fact that his wife is now gone and that is down to him. Poor chap.

Omg stop I can't cope with this thread, I've had 3 outbursts of laughter reading @Empired;'s reply cos it was so blunt "not the nicest way to let someone go :/" and then stephans reply and now urs 'a bit of a heacache' I KNOW ITS BAD I JUS CANT HELP IT

but anyway urm, i agree with empired... surely there was a more HUMANE way???? what's wrong with good old fashioned overdose (i guess it'll be slow) guess he could of hanged her? but guess it'll be a bit tricky for an elderly person to prop her up but SURELY there was a more humane way cos being suffocated would be AWFUL. idk I don't think he should be sentenced if the story is true