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Child Item

Bernadette Scully found not guilty of the manslaughter of her daughter

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http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/bernadette-scully-found-not-guilty-of-daughter-s-manslaughter-1.2908509

Co Offaly GP Dr Bernadette Scully has been found not guilty of manslaughter of her profoundly disabled daughter by giving her too much sedative.
The unanimous verdict was delivered after four hours of deliberation by the jury.

Jury came back with a not guilty verdict. I'd say it must've been a tough one to decide but I think they were right. Poor woman and her poor daughter

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Liam McPoyle

Very sad case but absolutely the right verdict.

That woman will have to live with what happened for the rest of her life, that's worse than any custodial sentence.

[Deleted User]

Oh thank God.

Possibly the most tragic case I've ever read about. It was hard to read of her giving her testimony, the failed attempts at IVF, how Emily was the daughter she always dreamed of, how she cradled her lifeless body that morning, rearranging her Padre Pio medals...and not be completely overwhelmed.

Winterlong

Delighted for her. None of us will know what that woman went through before and after her daughters death.

GalwayGirl26

Somethings are almost just too tragic for the letter of the law; this is where the jury's conscience was really tested- I cannot imagine the thought process they went through, but well done to them.

retro:electro

This was actually so sad. The poor woman had no supports. It's so tragic. There are no winners in this story.

seamus

Very tough case for a jury to hear. I haven't heard the full evidence, so I reserve my personal opinion on the outcome, but I accept the jury's decision given that they've heard the case in full.

From the parts I have heard though I have absolutely no doubt that Dr. Scully's actions were in no way malicious. Heartbreaking.

I think it's time to open up the discussion on legalising euthanasia. We allow suffering animals to be humanely sent on their way, but we force humans to eek out every microsecond of our existence, no matter how wretched it may be.

0byme75341jo28

Disgraceful decision.

midnight city

Nathaniel Warm Doorbell wrote: »

Disgraceful decision.

How so?

ck_fluffy_32

Disgraceful verdict.

I agree with euthanasia but this was clearly to make the mother's life easier as she said so herself in the "suicide note".

LynnGrace

Heartbreaking case.

midnight city

seamus wrote: »

I think it's time to open up the discussion on legalising euthanasia. We allow suffering animals to be humanely sent on their way, but we force humans to eek out every microsecond of our existence, no matter how wretched it may be.

Absolutely, it would be a great comfort for people suffering terminal illness to know that they could end it at any time if the suffering became to onerous.

CaptainR

First time I ever had a deep think about euthanasia was after I seen Million Dollar Baby, that film really made me think. I think it should be legal in cases where it would curb suffering.

Right decision from the jury I think.

[Deleted User]

ck_fluffy_32 wrote: »

I agree with euthanasia but this was clearly to make the mother's life easier as she said so herself in the "suicide note".

Where did she say she wanted the easy life, as you suggest? Could you point to the phrase? Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Juries decide these cases based on emotion

MarkR

Very sad, but I don't understand how it's not manslaughter? I know the daughter was profoundly disabled, but are they saying it was an accident?

seamus

MarkR wrote: »

Very sad, but I don't understand how it's not manslaughter? I know the daughter was profoundly disabled, but are they saying it was an accident?

I'm sure this weekends papers will be filled with analysis that delve deep into the case.

Most likely the "not guilty" verdict came down to legal minutae that the judge briefed the jury on and which they decided applied in this case.

whoopsadoodles

I don't think this is the correct place for discussion of euthanasia. It suggests the woman wanted her child to die.

hairyprincess

Absolutely the right decision. Such a heartbreaking case.

judeboy101

We have a legal system not a justice system.

ck_fluffy_32

Deleted User wrote: »

Where did she say she wanted the easy life, as you suggest? Could you point to the phrase? Thanks.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/dr-bernadette-scully-denies-court-9419634

The pain is too big, the struggle each day is too hard, the loneliness and isolation too much.”

jameorahiely

MarkR wrote: »

Very sad, but I don't understand how it's not manslaughter? I know the daughter was profoundly disabled, but are they saying it was an accident?

Maybe they'll bring charges for murder. Stocking up on chloral hydrate shows prediation.

ck_fluffy_32

whoopsadoodles wrote: »

I don't think this is the correct place for discussion of euthanasia. It suggests the woman wanted her child to die.

She's a doctor, she knows full well what happens when giving an overdose of chloral hydrate.

The Backwards Man

kunst nugget wrote: »

Is this really what you're taking away from the case?

Yep. And I say that as someone with first hand experience of the stress and suffering a lone carer can endure, if the lady hadn't been a GP then it's doubtful this would ever have went to court.

seamus

whoopsadoodles wrote: »

I don't think this is the correct place for discussion of euthanasia. It suggests the woman wanted her child to die.

I do think that's a separate topic of discussion to be fair, even though I brought it up.

Nobody "wants" their loved ones to die. Euthanasia is about taking the only course of action you feel is right, even though it's not the one you want.

MarkR

I read a bit more detail now, and it seems that the child may well have been able to take those doses, having built up a tolerance, before it unknowingly reached a critical level in her body, and it couldn't cope any more.

Seems to be nothing but bad news these days. God damn you 2016

kunst nugget

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Yep. And I say that as someone with first hand experience of the stress and suffering a lone carer can endure, if the lady hadn't been a GP then it's doubtful this would ever have went to court.

Why, what do you think would have happened?

[Deleted User]

ck_fluffy_32 wrote: »

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/dr-bernadette-scully-denies-court-9419634

The pain is too big, the struggle each day is too hard, the loneliness and isolation too much.”

You refer to the easy life.

The note refers to pain, isolation, suffering, struggle.

She didn't actually refer to the easy life at all, did she? You just made that up, didn't you?

That's fairly pathetic tbh.

byronbay2

Very sad case, no doubt, but how she could be found not guilty of manslaughter is unbelievable. The evidence that what she did was deliberate seemed overwhelming to me.

[Deleted User]

Murder and manslaughter are not enough options for the killing of people.
We need to have more options.

Murder 1 - premeditated killing
Murder 2 - killing without premeditation, but during an illegal act, where death is a possibility. ( Such as assaults etc )
Murder 3 - manslaughter
Accidental manslaughter - involving some negligence on the 'offenders' part.

ck_fluffy_32

Deleted User wrote: »

You refer to the easy life.

The note refers to pain, isolation, suffering, struggle.

She didn't actually refer to the easy life at all, did she? You just made that up, didn't you?

That's fairly pathetic tbh.

I didn't make anything up.

She didn't like HER situation and wanted to change it for the better.

Her daughter died so HER life was easier.

The note refers to pain, isolation, suffering, struggle.

Yes, and removing the daughter from her life means they are over, ergo better, easier.