“Mercy Killing;” Of Paralysed Son

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 9

“Mercy Killing;” Of Paralysed Son

(Received 10 a.m.) , NEW YORK, January 13. A “mercy killing” with details of more than, unusual pathos and horror were revealed today by the arrest of Louis Greenfield,, aged 42, a prosperous millinery store owner, who, with his wife had tenderly cared for their 17-year-old son , Jerry, who was physically normal but an incurable imbecile.. ■ •

The couple had spent a fortune in an ineffective effort to cure the boy, but, after a year’s treatment, by leading brain specialists, he became progressively worse, one particular distressing aspect of his illness being periodic attacks of paralysis, depriving him of the use of his legs. Greenfield, after trying unsuccessfully for a long time to find a chemist who would sell him chloroform, several months ago succeeded in making a purchase, and then waited until he could summon up sufficient courage to end his son’s life.

He sent his wife away from home on a pretext today and when the lad succumbed to an attack of paralysis he put him fully clothed on a bed, soaked a handkerchief in chloroform and covered the boy’s face.