You are the Judge. What sentence are you giving?

[tikay]

In Walton on the Naze, an 86 year old woman was shot dead yesterday.

Her husband has been charged with murder.

This is all the evidence you have.

They had been married to each other  all their adult lives.

They moved to the seaside 18 months ago, to live the retirement dream - a seaside bungalow.

She developed severe dementia 12 months ago, & he moved her into a £25,000 per year private care home, which was where the alleged Murder took place.

He visited her at the Care Home twice per week, every week, & "stayed over" one night each time.

He spent all Christmas staying at the Care Home with her. 

He is alleged to have said "she has suffered enough".   

Assume the Jury has found him "Guilty" - they have little choice.

As a Judge, your sentence is?.........

[RED-DOG]

In this particular case, assuming he is of a similar age I would sentence him to life in prison. I'm sure he wouldn't mind and it would be a deterrent to others.

[Graham C]

Strange that he shot her, wouldn't a pillow over the head have been a better option and less likely to get caught?

If it were me, going on the story as above and providing he's not got form and there's no motive other than "she's suffered enough", probably a suspended sentence.  Seems little point in costing the tax payer thousands to lock him up if he's not going to commit again. 

Maybe.......there's a reason I'd never want to be a judge!

[tikay]

Strange that he shot her, wouldn't a pillow over the head have been a better option and less likely to get caught?

If it were me, going on the story as above and providing he's not got form and there's no motive other than "she's suffered enough", probably a suspended sentence.  Seems little point in costing the tax payer thousands to lock him up if he's not going to commit again. 

Maybe.......there's a reason I'd never want to be a judge!

Not easy, is it?

[RED-DOG]

Pillow over the face doesn't work btw, I've tried it on Mrs Red.

[tikay]

Pillow over the face doesn't work btw, I've tried it on Mrs Red.

Yes, but that was just to stop her talking.

3 pillows & a bolster would not be enough.

Do you remember "bolsters"?

[Doobs]

Where is the evidence that she was suffering?   

[tikay]

Where is the evidence that she was suffering?   

We don't really have any, but the question is a hypothetical one. ASSUME she was suffering from severe dementia.

That's where I'm coming from.

[Ironside]

If he is charged and found guilty of murder there is only one possible sentence and that is life, how many years that life sentence is for is open to the judge to decide.

But life in a prison is often described as better than in an old folks home, hellmof a lot cheaper.

[RED-DOG]

Pillow over the face doesn't work btw, I've tried it on Mrs Red.

Yes, but that was just to stop her talking.

3 pillows & a bolster would not be enough.

Do you remember "bolsters"?

Yes I remember bolsters but I never knew what they were for.

[Graham C]

Pillow over the face doesn't work btw, I've tried it on Mrs Red.

Learning something new every day.

[tikay]

Pillow over the face doesn't work btw, I've tried it on Mrs Red.

Yes, but that was just to stop her talking.

3 pillows & a bolster would not be enough.

Do you remember "bolsters"?

Yes I remember bolsters but I never knew what they were for.

I was hoping you knew, I certainly don't.

Wiki was not much help, but it did add an amusing bolster fact;


In the United States, "body pillows" resemble bolsters and are designed to be hugged when sleeping.




 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolster


Now, back to our alleged murderer.

[tikay]

If he is charged and found guilty of murder there is only one possible sentence and that is life, how many years that life sentence is for is open to the judge to decide.

But life in a prison is often described as better than in an old folks home, hellmof a lot cheaper.

Well yes - that is the question.

[RED-DOG]

86+ yo man. 5yrs, 10yrs, life...  All the same imo.

[cish n fhips]

I don't quite understand why he never pulled the trigger on himself afterwards.
Surley if he acted out of love then this is would make more sense.