Assisted suicide man walks free

[Setarime]

A man who helped his seriously ill wife kill herself has been spared prison after being given a suspended sentence.
David March, 58, from Caterham, Surrey, admitted aiding and abetting the suicide of his 59-year-old wife.

Gillian March had tried to take her own life twice before after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984.

On her third attempt, Mr March re-tied the string on a plastic bag she had put over her head. His nine-month sentence was suspended by a judge for 12 months.

The couple had been married since 1979, but Mr March had to give up a job in advertising to care for his wife when she became ill.

He took up work as a landscape gardener which allowed him to return to their home, in Harestone Valley Road, to do cooking and cleaning.

You displayed a selfless devotion to your wife

Judge Brian Barker

On 19 September last year, he found his wife with a bag over head when he went back to make her lunch.

Surrey Police said there was "unequivocal evidence" that she had been attempting to take her own life for a third time.

Mr March re-tied the string his wife had put around the plastic bag's handles, held her hand until she died and then called the emergency services.

After passing sentence at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Judge Brian Barker said: "It is quite clear she was planning an escape route.

"She was clearly deteriorating and was particularly concerned about your position.

"Your wife was determined to control and then take her own life when she felt she had become too much of a burden.

"You felt you had little choice but to respect her will.

"You were a husband who not only had a deep love for his wife but who displayed a selfless devotion to her."

Quote from BBC News Website.

At long last some common sense in this crazy world. Obviously a very brave and loving husband. I would do anything for my wife but not sure if i could do that

[Rocol]

True, some common sense at last, albeit the method used was not a good way out, I would have thought that a sleeping pills overdose, or something similar would have been better for all, but whatever, his wife acheived her goal.

[Saurgrist]

I don't really agree with assisted suicide... it seems so inhumane. I know people with MS, and even though they may not be able to walk, they are using a wheelchair and getting along with life. It just seems wrong to me.

[NorthViking]

Could never do such, would do all to try help for treatment instead.

[Coppaforlife]

Originally Posted by Saurgrist

I don't really agree with assisted suicide... it seems so inhumane. I know people with MS, and even though they may not be able to walk, they are using a wheelchair and getting along with life. It just seems wrong to me.

I totally agree with you. To me life is comprised of lots of components and one of them is suffering...it's just something we all have to deal with on whatever level we encounter it, but to assist or committ suicide is wrong for me personally (maybe it isn't for another individual)