Québec man sentenced to two years in the death of his wife. He claimed it was a "mercy killing."

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Michel Cadotte

Michel Cadotte, the Québec man who killed his wife, Jocelyne Lizette (60) by suffocation on February 20, 2017, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury.

Cadotte, claimed that his wife wouldn't have wanted to live this way. Cadotte had asked for euthanasia for his wife and was turned down because she was not capable of making the request herself as repored by CTV news.

Yesterday, Cadotte was sentenced to two years, less day and three years probation for killing his wife by suffocation. Jesse Feith, reporting for the Montreal Gazette stated:

Superior Court judge Di Salvo added while sentencing him to prison Tuesday, Cadotte also “committed the irreparable” by suffocating Jocelyne Lizotte to death, an act that can’t be excused “even if it was done in the name of compassion.”

The article reported Justice Di Salvo state:

“You cannot do this to someone who is ill, vulnerable, dependent and incapable of expressing their will,” she said. “Even if they’ve expressed a desire to die in the past.”

The Canadian government is considering extending euthanasia to incompetent people who made a previous request for euthanasia.

Feith reported that the Crown and the Defense are both examining the sentence. The article reported:

Prosecutor Geneviève Langlois told reporters the Crown will closely review the decision before deciding if it will appeal the sentence.

Defence lawyer Elfriede Duclervil said she was disappointed with the sentence. She then took the opportunity to reiterate how the case shed light on gaps in the health system —  especially when it comes to helping caregivers — that pushed Cadotte to his breaking point.

The Justice system upheld the rule of law by convicting Cadotte but it remains confused when similar acts are done based on "Medical Aid in Dying."