“[T]he offender’s subjective belief that he or she was acting out of mercy, however genuine, does not and cannot constitute any defence to the charge of murder.”R v Inglis[2011] EWCA Crim 2637at [50].In light of the above statement,
critically examine whether a legal defence should ever be available to mercy killing,and indeedwhether mercy killing could be decriminalised.Your discussion should be supported by both an analysis of relevant case law and reference to academic sources.
Critically examine whether a legal defence should ever be available to mercy killing,and indeed whether mercy killing could be decriminalised.