Mercy Killing or Murder?

I was outside at the crack of dawn, washing my vehicle before the temperature plummeted. This weather is truly bizarre, and I may as well. Now I'm tucked into the shelter, pondering our legal system...yes I am.

Serial killer Bruce McArthur will be sentenced in Ontario for his heinous crimes today, as will Andre Bissonnette, the cowardly murderer of five at a Quebec City mosque. It may be that both men will spend the rest of their lives in prison.

There is another trial proceeding in Quebec with a far lower profile which also involves a murder, in this case a man who suffocated his wife to death two years ago. As grisly as this sounds, the situation is very different than the other two cases. Michel Cadotte was visiting his wife Jocelyne Lizotte in a nursing home on the day she died. Lizotte had early onset Alzheimer's disease and was only 60 years old even though she had lived with disease for several years.

Lizotte's mother had died of Alzheimer's and she told Cadotte that she did not want to be in long-term care, so for two years he cared for her at home. Finally he spoke with doctors about assisted dying but Jocelyne was beyond being part of the conversation so this was not an option. The day he smothered her to death he entered her room and found her hunched over awkwardly in her geriatric chair. He attempted to get her to eat, then spontaneously used the pillow to end her suffering and her life. He admitted to what he done to staff and then the police.

I do not condone individuals making this sort of decision to end a life, but we know it happens with those who are desperate to end suffering for a loved one. Consider the conviction of Robert Latimer for killing his severely disabled daughter Tracy in 1993. The court has heard that Michel Cadotte was depressed, abusing both drugs and alcohol, and feeling isolated and hopeless in his role with Jocelyne.

These situations are reminders that caregivers are often exhausted and overwhelmed, sometimes with few options for support. During my years of ministry I had many conversations with those who felt at the end of their emotional, spiritual, and physical resources. While I attempted to offer support there was often the feeling that my counsel and prayers were woefully inadequate.

I feel compassion for Cadotte, which doesn't mean that he shouldn't have to deal with the consequences of his actions. What he considered a "mercy killing" in the moment is still taking a life. I will continue to watch with interest the outcome of this trial, for him and others who suffer alongside those they love.

Thoughts?