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New Zealand Euthanasia Activist Found Guilty of Killing Her Mother

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 1, 2004

Wellington, New Zealand (LifeNews.com) -- A euthanasia activist has been convicted of killing her mother after revealing the deadly deed in a book promoting assisted suicide.

Lesley Martin, the founder of a pro-euthanasia group in New Zealand, was found by a jury to be guilty of attempting to kill her mother, Joy Patricia Martin, in May 1999.

In her book, Lesley Martin states that she attempted to end her mother's life by administering morphine and smothering her the next day. She had pledged that she would prevent her mother from undergoing a slow and painful death.

Sentencing was postponed until the end of the month. Then, a judge will rule on a defense motion to have her discharged without a conviction being recorded.

Lesley Martin called the decision "unjust" and urged New Zealand residents to push forward with an attempt to legalize assisted suicide.

Brian Johnston, author of the book Death as a Salesman, told LifeNews.com earlier in the trial, "I've been at numerous deathbeds and I know the emotions that surround suffering and death. I also know that there are better answers than killing these vulnerable patients."

Meanwhile, Joy Martin's youngest daughter, Louise Britton, says he sister Lesley is wrong to her their mother's death as a means of promoting assisted suicide. She told New Zealand media that her sister is "not a very nice person."

"No one knows what she's truly like . . . There's a lot of people she's hurt," Britton said.

Britton wants her mother to rest in peace out of the spotlight of the euthanasia debate.

"My mother hasn't been able to rest in peace and dignity . . . It's just been bad . . . It's like I haven't been able to grieve and get on."

Responding to the decision, doctors say more focus is needed on taking care of a patient's pain rather than promoting assisted suicide.

Dr. Kay Mitchell, of Auckland University told the New Zealand Herald that improved palliative care is needed before and debate moves forward about whether euthanasia should be legalized.

She said New Zealand residents are living longer, but suffering from pain from ailments that, years ago, would have killed them.

The New Zealand Medical Association, which opposes legalizing assisted suicide, agrees that more focus is needed on alleviating the physical and psychological reasons that may compel patients to want to end their lives.

But that hasn't stopped New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown from reviving his bill to legalize the grisly practice.

Brown's bill was defeated by a narrow 60 to 57 vote last year. Eight years earlier New Zealand MPs also defeated an attempt to allow assisted suicide.

Prime Minister Helen Clark supported the bill last year but would not put the weight of the government behind it.


Enter your email address to receive news from LifeNews.com via email. Do you prefer to receive news daily or weekly? Daily Weekly Do you favor or oppose abortion? Favor Oppose Click here to make a PayPal donation to LifeNews.com!	New Zealand Euthanasia Activist Found Guilty of Killing Her Mother by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor April 1, 2004 Wellington, New Zealand (LifeNews.com) -- A euthanasia activist has been convicted of killing her mother after revealing the deadly deed in a book promoting assisted suicide. Lesley Martin, the founder of a pro-euthanasia group in New Zealand, was found by a jury to be guilty of attempting to kill her mother, Joy Patricia Martin, in May 1999. In her book, Lesley Martin states that she attempted to end her mother's life by administering morphine and smothering her the next day. She had pledged that she would prevent her mother from undergoing a slow and painful death. Sentencing was postponed until the end of the month. Then, a judge will rule on a defense motion to have her discharged without a conviction being recorded. Lesley Martin called the decision "unjust" and urged New Zealand residents to push forward with an attempt to legalize assisted suicide. Brian Johnston, author of the book Death as a Salesman, told LifeNews.com earlier in the trial, "I've been at numerous deathbeds and I know the emotions that surround suffering and death. I also know that there are better answers than killing these vulnerable patients." Meanwhile, Joy Martin's youngest daughter, Louise Britton, says he sister Lesley is wrong to her their mother's death as a means of promoting assisted suicide. She told New Zealand media that her sister is "not a very nice person." "No one knows what she's truly like . . . There's a lot of people she's hurt," Britton said. Britton wants her mother to rest in peace out of the spotlight of the euthanasia debate. "My mother hasn't been able to rest in peace and dignity . . . It's just been bad . . . It's like I haven't been able to grieve and get on." Responding to the decision, doctors say more focus is needed on taking care of a patient's pain rather than promoting assisted suicide. Dr. Kay Mitchell, of Auckland University told the New Zealand Herald that improved palliative care is needed before and debate moves forward about whether euthanasia should be legalized. She said New Zealand residents are living longer, but suffering from pain from ailments that, years ago, would have killed them. The New Zealand Medical Association, which opposes legalizing assisted suicide, agrees that more focus is needed on alleviating the physical and psychological reasons that may compel patients to want to end their lives. But that hasn't stopped New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown from reviving his bill to legalize the grisly practice. Brown's bill was defeated by a narrow 60 to 57 vote last year. Eight years earlier New Zealand MPs also defeated an attempt to allow assisted suicide. Prime Minister Helen Clark supported the bill last year but would not put the weight of the government behind it.