DEATH BEFORE SUFFERING

Evening Star, Issue 14214, 13 November 1909, Page 4

DEATH BEFORE SUFFERING

The right to take liiiman lifo in order to end hopeless human suffering has been, if not actually functioned, at least left in abeyance, by a verdict of acquittal recently returned in the Law Courts of Paris. In January last a workman residing in the suburbs of I’uteaux gave himself up to dm police, saying : " I have just killed my wife with a revolver/' He proceeded to explain that his wife was in an advanced stage of consumption, and repeatedly spoke of taking her own life. Finally, alter an acme attack, she implored him mercifully to kill her, and not to allow her to suffer any longer, \iclding to her supplications, the prisoner went behind his wife, who was leaning against the bed, placed the weapon to the nape of her neck, and fired, death being instantaneous. Then, frightened at what lie had done, ho went to his sister, and asked: “'What shall I do now—shoot myself or surrender to the police?” His sister said “Give yourself up.” Medical evidence showed prisoner was a weakwilled individual, who appeared to have acted under the influence of an imperative suggestion, and the jury acquitted him.