This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/somerset/8365228.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Suicide pact' charges considered | 'Suicide pact' charges considered |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Prosecutors are to decide whether to bring charges against a terminally ill Somerset man who survived an apparent suicide pact in which his wife died. | Prosecutors are to decide whether to bring charges against a terminally ill Somerset man who survived an apparent suicide pact in which his wife died. |
| Dr Willie Stanton, 79, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife Angela, 74, who was found dead at their home in Westbury-sub-Mendip on 29 September. | Dr Willie Stanton, 79, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife Angela, 74, who was found dead at their home in Westbury-sub-Mendip on 29 September. |
| Police papers have been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). | Police papers have been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). |
| Avon and Somerset police said it had been asked by the CPS to provide further evidence. | Avon and Somerset police said it had been asked by the CPS to provide further evidence. |
| A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Stanton died from suffocation. | A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Stanton died from suffocation. |
| 'Totally insensitive' | 'Totally insensitive' |
| The couple's daughters, Susan, 44, and Jennifer, 48, said in a statement at the time of their mother's death that the strain of caring for their extremely disabled father had been too much for her to bear. | The couple's daughters, Susan, 44, and Jennifer, 48, said in a statement at the time of their mother's death that the strain of caring for their extremely disabled father had been too much for her to bear. |
| They said that their parents had enjoyed 52 years of very happy marriage together and did not want to "live separate, lonely existences" so "decided to commit suicide together". | They said that their parents had enjoyed 52 years of very happy marriage together and did not want to "live separate, lonely existences" so "decided to commit suicide together". |
| Dr Stanton, who has cancer, was arrested by Avon and Somerset police in October and released on bail. The former geologist is a specialist in the Mendip Hills. | |
| Martin Grass, a close friend of the family, criticised the police investigation, saying: "He [Dr Stanton] is terminally ill and I just feel that the family should be left in peace." | Martin Grass, a close friend of the family, criticised the police investigation, saying: "He [Dr Stanton] is terminally ill and I just feel that the family should be left in peace." |
| Andrew Gregg, from the Bristol Law Society, said: "It seems to me to be a waste of public time and money and it seems to be totally insensitive as far as the family are concerned." | Andrew Gregg, from the Bristol Law Society, said: "It seems to me to be a waste of public time and money and it seems to be totally insensitive as far as the family are concerned." |
| An Avon and Somerset police spokesman refused to comment on the criticisms. | An Avon and Somerset police spokesman refused to comment on the criticisms. |
| He added: "Papers have been provided to the CPS for consideration. | He added: "Papers have been provided to the CPS for consideration. |
| "Part of that consideration has led to the CPS asking us to research and provide further additional information." | "Part of that consideration has led to the CPS asking us to research and provide further additional information." |
| A CPS spokeswoman said: "The CPS has received some preliminary papers and is liaising with police." | A CPS spokeswoman said: "The CPS has received some preliminary papers and is liaising with police." |