Man visits grave of wife after being released from prison for mercy killing her
A British expat released from prison for the mercy killing of his terminally ill wife has visited her grave as the first act after becoming a free man.
David Hunter was granted his freedom in Cyprus after a judging panel sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his wife of 52 years.
She was killed in 2021 and her husband spent 19 months in prison as his case was being put together.
He was cleared of premeditated murder, however the panel did find him guilty of manslaughter and granted his freedom based on time already served.
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The court heard how Janice begged David to kill her because she was suffering from terminal blood cancer.
During mitigation last week, his defence lawyer, Ritsa Pekri, said his motive was to ‘liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions’ and that it was her ‘wish’ to die.
She added that Hunter ‘had only feelings of love for her’.
While speaking to the judges, Hunter broke down in tears and claimed he ‘never in a million years’ would have taken his wife’s life unless she had asked him to do so.
However, he only gave in to her demands when she became ‘hysterical’.
The 76-year-old visited his wife's grave the morning after he was released from prison.
He was unable to do so following her death as he was taken to hospital following a suicide attempt and was arrested shortly after.
Carrying a bouquet of pink, purple and yellow flowers, the widower immediately knelt down by the grave and appeared to be silently shaking.
David and Janice's daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, believes her dad will likely stay in Cyprus for a while so he can be closer to his late wife and 'say his goodbyes properly'.
Following his release, Lesley said she was overjoyed to see her dad a free man.
“Speaking to my daddy was the most amazing thing. I feel like my heart has been put back together," she said.
David said outside court: "I can’t describe it. I’m sorry. I wish I could, I wish I could find words to describe it but I can’t.
“When you’re under pressure for two years, not knowing which way it’s going to go.”
Michael Polak of Justice Abroad, who also represented Hunter, said the group was ‘very pleased’ with the outcome.
“This has been a tragic case and difficult for all of those involved with it, but today’s decision was the right one and allows David and his family to grieve together,” he said.
Stewart Perrie