CASE STUDY: A noteworthy and historic case of involuntary active euthanasia, with ramifications that persist today, is
Question:
CASE STUDY:
A noteworthy and historic case of involuntary active euthanasia, with ramifications that persist today, is that of Robert Latimer, a Saskatchewan farmer who killed his daughter, Tracy, in 1993 by placing her in a car and rerouting exhaust fumes to euthanize her. Tracy, a 40-pound, 12-year-old quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, functioned at the level of a 3-month-old. According to most reports, she suffered constant and severe pain. Her father could not bear to see her life continue indefinitely in this manner. Convicted of second-degree murder, Mr. Latimer was sentenced to life in prison (a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years), with a chance of parole after 10 years. Parole was granted in 2010 with some conditions. In July 2013, the Parole Board of Canada lifted the requirement that Mr. Latimer continues with one-to-one psychological counselling, stating that he was now able to manage his emotions. He is still prohibited from caring for a disabled person and must apply to the parole board if he wants to travel outside of the country.
The debate over the ethics in the Latimer case and the severity of the sentence Mr. Latimer received continues to this day. At Mr. Latimer's second trial, ordered because of jury interference in the first trial, the jury upheld the charge of second-degree murder, but recommended Mr. Latimer be eligible for parole after 1 year. In this trial, Justice Ted Noble tried to distinguish between murder and mercy killing. He called Tracy Latimer's murder a "rare act of homicide that was committed for caring and altruistic reasons. That is why for want of a better term, this is called compassionate homicide" (CBC News, 2010). Did Robert Latimer ever present a danger to society? Most would say no. However, in 1994 the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal overturned Judge Noble's ruling, imposing the mandatory minimum sentence: 25 years, with no parole for ten years. Latimer's first bid for parole in 2007 was denied because he maintained his belief that he killed Tracy for her benefit and would not express remorse. Groups championing the rights of disabled persons argued that showing leniency would endanger disabled persons and rate them as second-class citizens. Canadians with disabilities continue to campaign for the protection of what they deem a fundamental human rightthe right to life (CBC News, 2010).
Today, after 25 years, Robert Latimer at home on his family farm (on parole) still has no regrets. He feels he did the right thing. He holds a veiled hope that the current Federal Government will pardon him.
Questions:
1. What is mercy killing?
2. Do you believe mercy killing should be legal or illegal? Why or why not?
3. Should Mr. Latimer be pardoned? What moral and ethical values prompted Mr. Latimer to kill his daughter?
4. What values do you think come into play that motivate Mr. Latimer to still believe that he did the right thing?
Introduction to Operations Research
ISBN: 978-1259162985
10th edition
Authors: Frederick S. Hillier, Gerald J. Lieberman