A Briton pleaded not guilty Thursday, February 10 in a Cypriot court for the murder of his wife, suffering from terminal cancer, his lawyers ensuring that it was an assisted suicide.
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Janice Hunter, 75, died in Paphos, south-west Cyprus, in December 2021. She had been in a relationship for 56 years with David Hunter, also 75, charged with her murder.
Janice Hunter “
had leukemia and was in a lot of pain
,” said Justice Abroad, a UK-based law firm that represents David Hunter, a retired miner from Northumberland (north-east England).
According to Paphos police, the Briton “
confessed to killing his wife by covering her nose and mouth with his hands
” because he could no longer bear to see her suffer.
Assisted suicide
During a hearing Thursday, February 10 before the court of Paphos - a resort popular with British tourists and retirees - David Hunter pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife.
"
Assisted suicide is a more appropriate charge than murder, which carries a life sentence
," said his lawyers, who said they would send a motion to that effect to the Cypriot General Prosecutor's Office.
David Hunter had tried to end his life after the death of his wife, according to this law firm.
His suicide attempt failed and he was charged with premeditated murder, they said.
Pending his trial, set for April 18, David Hunter is being held in detention in Nicosia.
His daughter Lesley started a crowdfunding campaign to help with defense costs.
“
My father devoted himself to the care of my mother.
We love him very much and want to help him in any way we can
,” she said.
The Cypriot Parliament has started discussions regarding the legalization of euthanasia, a taboo subject on the island, mainly of Greek Orthodox faith.
