The father of a Norwich woman suffocated her mother in an act of “love and mercy”, his defence team has told a court in Cyprus.
David Hunter, 76, was charged with the premeditated murder of his wife Janice, 74, who died of asphyxiation at the couple’s retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.
The couple’s daughter Lesley Cawthorne, 49, who lives in Norwich, has supported her father over what he claims was assisted suicide, saying her mother had been terminally ill with blood cancer and in “terrible pain and suffering”.
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She launched a fundraising drive to pay legal costs and has said she fears her father, who faces the prospect of life imprisonment, will die behind bars.
During the trial the court was shown video of her pleading with her father not to kill himself following his arrest.
Both prosecution and defence presented their final legal arguments, before three judges are expected to deliver their verdict next month.
READ MORE: Norwich woman’s mum ‘begged’ father to end her life
Ritsa Pekri, part of the defence team, said: “The facts of this case concern a crime of love and mercy. There are no other cases similar to this in Cyprus’ legal history.”
She said there had been no testimony indicating violence between the couple, who had been married for 46 years.
“No witness statements indicated he was fed up with taking care of his wife. Everyone said they loved each other and he looked after his wife,” she added.
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But prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou said Mr Hunter’s actions had been premeditated, adding: "Janice's death was not a good death. Her end was not painless or peaceful."
He questioned why there was no note or pre-recorded video, if Mr Hunter was following his wife's wishes as he claims.
He added Mrs Hunter had not spoken to her daughter or brother about wanting to die.
The trial continues.
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