Man visits grave of wife after being released from prison for mercy killing her

A British expatriate, who had been imprisoned for the compassionate act of ending the life of his terminally ill wife, marked his release by visiting her grave as his first act of freedom. David Hunter regained his liberty in Cyprus after the mercy killing of his wife. This is where a judicial panel had imposed a two-year sentence following his conviction for the manslaughter of Janice. Who was his devoted wife of 52 years.

Janice sadly passed away in 2021, and David spent 19 months in jail while his legal case was meticulously assembled. While he was acquitted of premeditated murder, the panel did find him culpable of manslaughter. Consequently, his release was granted based on the time he had already served behind bars.

Why did he grant her a mercy killing?

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Janice had pleaded with David to end her life. This was due to her agonizing battle with terminal blood cancer. During the recent plea for leniency, his defense attorney, Ritsa Pekri, emphasized that his actions were of good intentions. Driven by the need to “free his wife from the immense suffering brought on by her health conditions.”

Pekri stressed that it had been Janice’s expressed “desire” to pass away. She additionally highlighted that Hunter’s emotions were solely rooted in love for his wife. Overwhelmed with emotion, Hunter addressed the judges and tearfully asserted that he would have never considered ending his wife’s life unless she had explicitly requested it. However, he reluctantly acceded to her wishes when she reached a state of extreme distress.

Read: Doctor who scammed millions of cancer patients is jailed for 45 years

Hunter went straight to his wife’s grave the day after his release

Notably, Hunter, who is now 76 years old, visited his wife’s final resting place on the morning after his release from prison. Regrettably, he was unable to do so immediately after her passing due to his hospitalization following a suicide attempt. Which ultimately led to his subsequent arrest.

Holding a bouquet adorned with shades of pink, purple, and yellow, the grieving widower knelt reverently beside the grave, his silent tremors revealing his deep emotions. Lesley Cawthorne, the daughter of David and Janice, expressed her belief that her father might extend his stay in Cyprus to remain close to his departed wife and bid her a proper farewell.

Following his release, Lesley shared her overwhelming joy at seeing her father regain his freedom, expressing, “Talking to my father was an incredible moment. It’s as if my heart has been mended.” Outside the courtroom, David struggled to put his emotions into words, stating, “I’m at a loss for words. I’m sorry. I wish I could articulate it, but I’m unable to. After two years of uncertainty and pressure, it’s indescribable.”

Michael Polak from Justice Abroad, also representing Hunter, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, remarking, “While this has been a tragic and emotionally challenging case for all parties involved, today’s decision was the just one, enabling David and his family to share their grief together.” It sparks the thought – is a mercy killing really murder?

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