A British pensioner who brutally smothered his dementia-stricken wife in a “mercy killing” has been jailed for murder.
Donald Morley, 93, who could die within six months due to his “serious state of health”, will now spend nine years behind bars in Australia.
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At her Canberra home, Morley smothered her long-term partner Jean, 92, with a pillow after they emigrated to Australia from the UK 50 years ago.
The murderous husband then attempted to take his own life after believing they had “lived too long”.
Following the July 2023 death of his wife of 69 years, Morley was sentenced Monday to four and a half years without the possibility of parole.
It’s been four months since he pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife.
Due to his client’s deteriorating health and Ms Morley’s developing dementia, his barrister Jon White SC told the court the crime was a “mercy killing”.
But Justice David Mossop of the ACT Supreme Court dismissed the claim when he imposed the sentence on Monday.
He said: Murder is still murder, regardless of the age or illness of the victim or perpetrator.
“Murder is the most serious denial of individual autonomy.”
‘IT CAME TO THE END’
The judge described how, in July 2023, after going out with friends during the day, Morley suffocated his wife.
Morley believed they had “reached the end” because they were not having fun. The Daily Telegraph reports.
The couple moved to Australia after marrying seven years after meeting in the UK when she was 16.
While his wife worked as an administrative assistant, Morley worked at the Royal Australian Mint.
The judge noted that they were known as a devoted couple who “did everything together” and that they had no children.
“The offender always used to call Jean ‘my darling’,” Judge Mossop told the court.
The judge noted that the couple’s health had deteriorated rapidly in recent years and that Morley had personal problems, including skin cancer that had invaded his skull.
After 69 years of marriage, we were both afraid of the future, I’m sorry to upset all the family and friends.
Donald Morley
Because he was afraid to leave Jean alone, Morley was reluctant to seek medical attention at a hospital.
His wife’s dementia had gotten so bad that she could not dress herself or use common household equipment such as the microwave or television.
The court heard Mrs Morley would also object if her husband left her alone.
Although the Morleys had discussed voluntary euthanasia, they had never formed a suicide pact, the court was also told.
When her husband determined that her only option was death, Judge Mossop stressed that Jean had not asked to be killed.
On July 29, 2023, around 9 p.m., Morley waited until his wife went to bed and then smothered her for about two minutes with a pillow.
Mrs Morley “struggled a little”, the court was told, as her right arm moved up and down.
Her husband then attempted suicide while lying awake next to her.
The next morning, a nurse called the couple at home because Morley had not responded to her messages.
A shocked Morley informed her that he had done “something terrible” when she arrived.
Police later discovered a suicide note in which Morley expressed regret and that he had been “afraid of the future.”
The note says: “Please don’t call this a murder-suicide.
“After 69 years of marriage, we were both afraid of the future, we are sorry to upset all the family and friends.
“This was not easy for me or my love.”
Judge Mossop regretted in court that the couple had no children or other younger relatives to support them in their difficulties.
The judge declared that there had been “a serious breach of trust”, although he did not consider that the murder had been motivated by malice.
Since being detained following his arrest, Morley has been receiving palliative care at a hospice in Canberra. From there, he witnessed the sentencing via video link.
It is expected that his “serious state of health” will cause his death within six months.
“It may be that you simply remain in hospital or hospice until you die,” Judge Mossop said.
Neighbor Judy Jones, who had known the Morleys for 40 years, told A Current Affair: They loved each other. I mean they had their happy moments, but they were dedicated to each other.
“I think, as far as I’m concerned, it’s just a mercy killing.
“He did it out of compassion. Not hate. He loved her very much.”