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Wife gave husband 'mercy killing overdose', court told | Wife gave husband 'mercy killing overdose', court told |
(about 16 hours later) | |
An 80-year-old woman murdered her terminally ill husband in a "mercy killing", a court has heard. | An 80-year-old woman murdered her terminally ill husband in a "mercy killing", a court has heard. |
Mavis Eccleston gave a "potentially lethal" dose of prescription medication to husband Dennis, 81, jurors at Stafford Crown Court were told. | Mavis Eccleston gave a "potentially lethal" dose of prescription medication to husband Dennis, 81, jurors at Stafford Crown Court were told. |
She also wrote a note saying they both wished to end their lives and held his hand as he died, after being given an antidote to treat her own overdose. | She also wrote a note saying they both wished to end their lives and held his hand as he died, after being given an antidote to treat her own overdose. |
Mrs Eccleston denies charges of murder and manslaughter. | Mrs Eccleston denies charges of murder and manslaughter. |
The couple were found by family members at their bungalow in Huntington, near Cannock, Staffordshire, on 19 February 2018 - after both had ingested overdoses. | The couple were found by family members at their bungalow in Huntington, near Cannock, Staffordshire, on 19 February 2018 - after both had ingested overdoses. |
They were rushed to Stafford Hospital by paramedics, who were made aware of an apparent suicide note. | They were rushed to Stafford Hospital by paramedics, who were made aware of an apparent suicide note. |
Mr Eccleston had made a decision to receive no further treatment for his cancer, except for medication for pain management, and did not wish to be resuscitated by medical staff, jurors heard. | Mr Eccleston had made a decision to receive no further treatment for his cancer, except for medication for pain management, and did not wish to be resuscitated by medical staff, jurors heard. |
He died the following day. | He died the following day. |
'Tragic case' | 'Tragic case' |
Opening the prosecution, Tony Badenoch QC said the medication was given to Mr Eccleston "by his wife of almost 60 years". | Opening the prosecution, Tony Badenoch QC said the medication was given to Mr Eccleston "by his wife of almost 60 years". |
He said she gave an account voluntarily to two mental health nurses the day after her husband's death and said he "wasn't aware that she was giving him a potentially lethal dose". | He said she gave an account voluntarily to two mental health nurses the day after her husband's death and said he "wasn't aware that she was giving him a potentially lethal dose". |
Describing the case as tragic for all concerned, Mr Badenoch added: "She intended to take his life, and that is to commit the offence of murder. | |
"The fact that it was a 'mercy killing' is contrary to the law in this country and doesn't afford to her a defence to her actions." | |
He said before Mr Eccleston's death, the hospital provided the opportunity for the couple to be in adjoining beds and "they held hands as Dennis passed away". | He said before Mr Eccleston's death, the hospital provided the opportunity for the couple to be in adjoining beds and "they held hands as Dennis passed away". |
Jurors heard a note found after Mr Eccleston's death, written by his wife, referred to neighbourhood "tensions" and an apparent desire to end their own lives. | Jurors heard a note found after Mr Eccleston's death, written by his wife, referred to neighbourhood "tensions" and an apparent desire to end their own lives. |
Mr Badenoch told the court a pathologist believed Mr Eccleston's disease meant he could have died suddenly but he would not have died when he did if he had not received the overdose. | Mr Badenoch told the court a pathologist believed Mr Eccleston's disease meant he could have died suddenly but he would not have died when he did if he had not received the overdose. |
Jurors were told the defence will argue it cannot be proved that an overdose caused Mr Eccleston's death, and that if it was proved, a suicide pact would reduce the offence of murder to one of manslaughter. | Jurors were told the defence will argue it cannot be proved that an overdose caused Mr Eccleston's death, and that if it was proved, a suicide pact would reduce the offence of murder to one of manslaughter. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |
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