This whole story is so desperately sad. I can't believe they'd call the wife as a prosecution witness. I thought wives were exempt from giving evidence against husbands.
I really don't know what the legislative solution to 'mercy killings' is. It can't be legalised, because it would be used as a cover for other killings. Yet, the justice system frequently shows mercy and compassion to those responsible. But in between, there's this dreadful void. I would like to think that the CPS would decide it's not in the Public Interest to prosecute. But that's dangerous. Because there are too many other parents having scant regard for the lives of their own children. My instincts tell me this is far removed from the normal run-of-the-mill self-centred parent kills child because it's a nuisance. And my instincts are rarely wrong.
It's easier with terminally ill adults - if I was diagnosed with a terminal ilness I'd draw up a Living Will. But when it's children involved, especially those with mental retardation, or adults who have accidents etc it becomes a lot more difficult.
And if anybody proposes any sort of discussion on the issue, the reactionary Right To Lifers come back with their blanket simplicities.
Don't misunderstand me, I fundamentally support the basic human right of a Right to Life*. But my reading of the world we live in is it that there are grey areas and I don't think I have the wisdom to know the answers, only the questions.
* I think this kicks in once the life is capable of independence ie twenty-odd weeks after conception. Before that it is entirely dependent upon being inside the mother and is thus, to some extent, a parasite.
