Australian who encouraged wife’s suicide jailed in landmark case


Australian who encouraged wife’s suicide jailed in landmark case

BBC News

Graham Morant, 68, was convicted last month of counselling and aiding his wife, Jennifer Morant, to take her own life in 2014.

He had been motivated by a desire to access Mrs Morant’s life insurance benefits, a judge ruled.

As sole beneficiary, Morant had stood to receive A$1.4m (£770,000; $1m).

“You counselled your wife to kill herself because you wanted to get your hands on the A$1.4m,” Justice Peter Davis said in the Queensland Supreme Court on Friday.

Mrs Morant had suffered from chronic pain, depression and anxiety, but was not terminally ill.

Justice Davis said it appeared to be the first time globally that a person had been sentenced for counselling someone to die by suicide.

‘Took advantage of her vulnerability’
Morant had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but a jury found that Mrs Morant would not have ended her life without his counselling.

The 56-year-old woman was found dead alongside a petrol generator in her car on 30 November, 2014. Nearby, a note read: “Please don’t resuscitate me.”

Her husband had previously driven her to a hardware store to buy the generator, the jury was told.

Morant, a devout Christian, had told his wife that he planned to use the insurance money to build a religious commune, according to prosecutors.

On Friday, Justice Davis said Morant had shown no remorse for his offences.

“You took advantage of her vulnerability as a sick and depressed woman,” he said.

Morant received a maximum 10-year sentence for the charge of counselling suicide, and a six-year sentence for the charge of aiding suicide. The sentences will be served concurrently.

He will be eligible for parole in October 2023.

Share This News:

Comments (
0
)

Most Popular


India election 2019: Voting to begin in world’s largest election

India election 2019: Voting to begin in world’s largest election

Indians will head to the polls on Thursday to vote in the first phase of a general electio...

Posted: About 7 years ago
Source: BBC News
5 face charges of plotting terror attack in Australia

5 face charges of plotting terror attack in Australia

Five people, including a 15-year-old boy, were facing terrorism charges in Sydney Thursday a...

Posted: About 10 years ago
Source: foxnews
Tech Q&A: Data plans, dying computers, an app for buying wine and more

Tech Q&A: Data plans, dying computers, an app for buying wine and...

Avoid going over your data limit Q. I love everything my Android phone can do, but I don'...

Posted: About 10 years ago
Source: foxnews

SIMILAR NEWS

Posted: About an hour ago

Sooper Dooper Kids Clothing Partners with Sheikha Arwa Al Qassimi to Launch a Kindness Movement Empowering Children

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 17: Sooper Dooper Kids, a purpose-driven online ecommerce children's clo...

Posted: About an hour ago

Clothing brand Sooper Dooper Kids teams up with Dharavi Dream Project

With its One Purchased is One Donated pledge, impact-focused apparel brand Sooper Dooper Kids was a part of...

Posted: About an hour ago

Sooper Dooper Kids: Fashion With A Heart

Sooper Dooper Kids is redefining children’s fashion by integrating style with social impact. Their “One...

Posted: About an hour ago

Celebrating Iconic Brands/Leaders Of The Year 2024

We are Celebrating Iconic Brands/Leaders honors individuals and brands that have not only excelled in their...