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France

French mercy-killing doctor acquitted

A French court has acquitted a doctor who ended the lives of seven terminally ill patients. The historic judgement, coming after a long and emotional trial, will force politicians to speed up changes to the law on euthanasia, one of his lawyers said.

Doctor Nicolas Bonnemaison and his wife, Julie, at the court in Pau earlier this month
Doctor Nicolas Bonnemaison and his wife, Julie, at the court in Pau earlier this month AFP/Pierre Andrieu
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The judge’s announcement after an 11-day trial in the south-western city of Pau that Nicolas Bonnemaison "was acquitted of all charges" prompted thunderous applause in the courtroom.

Bonnemaison, 53, was accused of poisoning the seven elderly patients in 2010-2011 and could have been jailed for life, although the prosecutor finally called for a five-year suspended sentence.

“No, you are not a murderer,” prosecutor Marc Mariée said during the trial, while insisting that Bonnemaison had broken the law in order to lessen his patients’ suffering.

The wife of one of the deceased patients wept for joy on hearing the verdict, while Bonnemaison smiled while holding the hands of one of his lawyers.

“We have to work to calm things down now,” said lawyer Benoit Ducos-Ader. “There is neither a hero nor a martyr … This will force the politicians to move a bit more quickly.”

Bonnemaison’s trial has coincided with a debate on euthanasia in France.

On Tuesday the European Court of Human Rights ordered France to suspend a court ruling that life support be cut off to paraplegic Vincent Lambert.
 

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