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The Latimer Verdict and
Mercy Killing
by Glenn Woiceshyn
The letter below was sent to a popular Canadian (CBC)
radio program called As It Happens. [Robert Latimer killed his 12-year-old daughter
painlessly because she was dying from a fatal disease and was suffering great pain.
The facts reported indicate it was obvious that Robert was motivated by compassion
for his daughter.
Dear AS IT HAPPENS,
Re: Your Interview with Diane Ritchler (sp?) [From the Canadian Association of Community
Living] on the recent Latimer Verdict--Nov/06/97
According to Diane Ritchler, an alleged defender of the disabled, Robert Latimer
should be severely punished for killing his daughter Tracy, otherwise people would
believe that it's okay to kill the disabled.
Nonsense! Only an irrational person would conclude that "soft" punishment
for Robert would mean it's "open season" on the disabled. Irrational people
should not be the standard of justice. Justice should not be based on how irrational
people will interpret someone's punishment. Robert killed Tracy--not because she
was disabled, but because she was dying and experiencing tremendous pain, with no
hope of relief or recovery. Since Canadian Law does not allow for "mercy killing,"
Robert Latimer had little choice. What he did was illegal, but not necessarily immoral
given the context. Robert Latimer is guilty of breaking the law, and thus had to
face justice. But his punishment must take into consideration the facts surrounding
the crime--not other people's irrationality. Justice involves granting a person what
he deserves, and Latimer deserves little (if any) further punishment.
Diane Ritchler wants to sacrifice Robert Latimer's life to other people's irrationality.
This can only lead to the destruction of justice and, eventually, of civil society.
Disabled people will be among the first to suffer if that happens.
Best Premises,
Glenn Woiceshyn
© 1997 Glenn Woiceshyn. All rights reserved.
This article can be found on-line at at http://www.capitalism.org/glennw. |
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