The cases in New Zealand

In New Zealand, a number of real cases were reported about euthanasia and it was a controversial issue. If three cases are introduced, first of all, Sean Davison’s case in 2009. At 84, Patricia Davison, a former GP and psychiatrist had multiple cancers so she tried to end her life by going on a 35 day hunger strike but she survived. Then she finally died in 2006, her son by her side. In 2009 Sean Davison, Patricia’s son published the book and he admitted that he gave his mother a lethal overdose of morphine. This case has been investigated by Dunedin police.

Secondly, Ian Crutchley was convicted of attempted murder in 2008. He assisted his 77 year old mother Elsie to die by giving a lethal dose of morphine. He sentenced to 6 months, community detention and 150 hours, community service.

Lastly, in 1999 Lesley Martin’s case. Lesley Martin, a former nurse from Wanganui gave her mother an overdose of morphine and smothered her with a pillow to release her from painful cancer complications. Found guilty of attempted murder, she served half of her 15-month sentence in 2004.
The above cases have the common things. The parent was old and sick, and they were assisted to die by daughter or son, and their daughters or sons did not have guilt feeling what they had done but they were glad to let their parent be in peace, they, however, had to be convicted by the Law.