Robert Latimer

Robert Latimer is a Canadian farmer who became a controversial figure in the debate over euthanasia and disability rights following his conviction for the second-degree murder of his severely disabled daughter, Tracy Latimer. Tracy was born on November 23, 1980, with cerebral palsy, a condition that left her quadriplegic and in constant pain. Robert Latimer's actions and subsequent legal battles sparked a national debate on the morality and legality of euthanasia in Canada, as well as the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Background

Tracy Latimer suffered from severe cerebral palsy since birth, which resulted in her being in constant, unrelenting pain. Her condition included severe physical and mental disabilities, and she was unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. According to Robert Latimer, the decision to end his daughter's life was made out of a desire to relieve her of her suffering, a point that became central to the controversy and legal proceedings that followed.

The Incident

On October 24, 1993, Robert Latimer placed Tracy in his truck and connected a hose from the exhaust pipe to the cab, leading to her death from carbon monoxide poisoning. He initially claimed her death was accidental but later admitted to deliberately causing her death. Latimer was charged with first-degree murder, which was later reduced to second-degree murder.

Legal Proceedings

Robert Latimer's trial began in 1994, and he was found guilty of second-degree murder. The case went through several appeals, focusing on the mandatory minimum sentence for second-degree murder and whether it constituted "cruel and unusual punishment" in Latimer's case. The Supreme Court of Canada ultimately upheld his conviction and the mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

Public Debate

The case of Robert Latimer ignited a widespread public debate in Canada and internationally. Advocates for euthanasia and right to die argued that Latimer's actions were an act of compassion, aimed at relieving his daughter's suffering. Conversely, disability rights activists argued that the case devalued the lives of people with disabilities, suggesting that their lives were not worth living and that caretakers had the right to end their lives.

Aftermath

Robert Latimer was granted full parole in December 2010, after serving 10 years of his life sentence. His case continues to be cited in discussions about euthanasia, disability rights, and the legal system's handling of cases involving the care of individuals with severe disabilities.

See Also

• Euthanasia
• Disability rights
• Cerebral palsy
• Legal aspects of euthanasia