Murder charge for euthanasia advocate

A DUNEDIN man who helped his mother die has appeared in a South African court on a murder charge.

Sean Davison, who was convicted of assisted suicide after helping his mother die in Dunedin, is now charged in relation to the death of Anrich Burger (53), who became a quadriplegic after a motor vehicle accident in 2005. He was not terminally ill.

In 2014, Mr Davison told South African media how he helped Mr Burger, a close friend of his, take lethal drugs in November 2013.

Mr Burger’s fiancee was not present nor informed of the plan, as she did not support assisted suicide or euthanasia.

After pleading not guilty at the court appearance, Mr Davison was released on R20,000 ($NZ2050) bail.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on November 16.

The South African state alleges the murder was premeditated and that new information suggests Mr Davison may have committed other similar offences.

In 2011, Mr Davison was sentenced to five months’ house arrest in Dunedin after pleading guilty to counselling and procuring his mother’s suicide.

Mr Davison (57) is the president of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, an international organisation of which the New Zealand End of Life Choice Society is a member.

‘‘Not all quadriplegics want to die, but those who do want to, should have the option,’’ Mr Davidson said after his speech at the Federation’s Conference in 2014.

On its website the federation supports euthanasia and assisted suicide for ‘‘all competent adults with incurable illnesses’’, not only those with terminal illnesses.

The End of Life Choice Bill, which is before the New Zealand Parliament’s Justice Committee, proposes legal assisted suicide and euthanasia for people with terminal illnesses or other ‘‘grievous and irremediable medical conditions’’.

Submissions on the Bill are to be heard by the select committee in Dunedin today.