BBC Killer- Did He Do The Right Thing?

[+ Lucky]

A broadcaster for BBC, the British media station, has revealed that he once killed a man- his lover at the time. This killing took place during the AIDS epidemic after Ray Gosling had visited the infected lover and learned from the doctor that there was "nothing he could do."

 

Gosling asked the doctor for a moment alone with the patient, and then:

"I picked up the pillow and smothered him until he was dead. No regrets."

 

Gosling justifies this act on the basis that his lover was in terrible pain. The fact that AIDS is involved is only one facet of the matter, assisted suicide has been controversial for some time, but is now gaining more acceptance. The prominence of Gosling may bring increased attention to the issue.

 

Should Gosling now be prosecuted for murder? Read more:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/8516499.stm

[seattlebottom]

The article does not state if the dead man left a note or videotape expressing his desire to end his life, but even if it had....smothering?

[BgMstr4u]

There is no way smothering a person with a pillow could be characterized as assisted suicide, in that the person involved did not do it to himself. Gosling himself characterizes it as euthanasia.

 

To reveal it publicly brings many questions to mind. And at least one conclusion, for my part: I have no wish to hear anything more from such a person in the public media. Killing the sick for the convenience of the well under the disgusting cover that it is better for the sick person to be dead than living with illness should have no place in our society. It is not suicide. It is the assumption of the right to play God, to get rid of people whose life does not fit your definition of what human life should be. Are not terminally ill people just as human as the rest of us? Is not illness part of life? Or has it been defined out of who we should be? I am glad the law is getting involved. IMHO.

 

Terence is right: Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto.

[+ deej]

There's too much left unanswered in the story as reported to make any real judgments.

 

If this was in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, end-of-life care was drastically different than it is today. Terminal illnesses were treated aggressively up until the patient died, with little to no regard for the comfort of the patient. Hospice end-of-life options were unheard of.

 

In the intervening years (and largely thanks to the AIDS epidemic) end-of-life care has come a very long way. The oncologists and other specialists can be told to back off while hospice specialists move in to keep the patient as comfortable as possible until their end comes.

 

That doesn't make it easy. Death never is. But it's far better today than it was 30 years ago.

 

It is entirely possible that this was the only humane option.

[MsGuy]

When my Dad died I was sitting on one side of the bed holding his hand and silently willing the attending physician not to tell my mother that he could be kept alive for another week or two by rushing him to a better equiped hospital. Fortunately the Doc was an old family friend and kept his mouth shut.

 

I've seen enough abuse of the elderly by family to be extremely leery of legalized euthenasia, but I can't help thinking of my Dad's death when I hear of cases like Gosling. By keeping our mouths shut the Doc & I assisted my Dad in dying. Whether that was right or wrong I don't know. I do know that it seemed (& still seems) the only loving thing to do.

 

At the time Gosling smothered his partner the partner's physician obviously knew what had happened and said nothing. To me that's a pretty good indicator that Gosling's action was not irrational or cruel. By law it was murder, but I would not have it in me to prosecute him absent a lot more facts than we have been given.

[Epigonos]

Frankly as the years have passed and I have become older I find that I believe less and less in the concept of an omnipotent, omniscient supreme being. With that in mind I am not remotely interested in who does and who does not play “God”. My sole concern is what were the wishes of the patient? Until those are know I am unable to make a judgment on the correctness of the actions of the reporter. I need more facts.

[KMEM]

When my Dad died I was sitting on one side of the bed holding his hand and silently willing the attending physician not to tell my mother that he could be kept alive for another week or two by rushing him to a better equiped hospital. Fortunately the Doc was an old family friend and kept his mouth shut.

 

I've seen enough abuse of the elderly by family to be extremely leery of legalized euthenasia, but I can't help thinking of my Dad's death when I hear of cases like Gosling. By keeping our mouths shut the Doc & I assisted my Dad in dying. Whether that was right or wrong I don't know. I do know that it seemed (& still seems) the only loving thing to do.

 

At the time Gosling smothered his partner the partner's physician obviously knew what had happened and said nothing. To me that's a pretty good indicator that Gosling's action was not irrational or cruel. By law it was murder, but I would not have it in me to prosecute him absent a lot more facts than we have been given.

 

I know you need no "amen" to condone your action but I offer one anyway.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ Lucky]

We will likely never know the intentions of the deceased here. If you will remember, the AIDS epidemic came along so fast that many did not even give thought to what their options would be. There was also a lot of denial that this could really be happening in general and to the individual in particular.

 

Either way, the desire of some here for more evidence indicates the difficulty believe that the prosecution would have in making their case with the evidence that they have.

 

UPDATE: In reviewing the article, I noted the video link where Gosling states that he and the deceased did have a pact that he would do this if it reached this point.

[Luv2play]

My reading of the article is that this happened in the UK many years ago when AIDs was a death sentence and there were no effective treatments. Today, HIV infection is a life sentence and if treatments are adhered to, patients live for many years often without any symptoms.

 

So we need to judge this case by what were the circumstances at that time. I believe Mr Gosling felt he had no option dealing with a lover that was in the terminal stages of AIDs when doctors said there was nothing further that could be done. Faced with a lover in intense pain, Gosling did what anyone would do if their favorite pet was in pain. He brought it to an end.

 

If we will do this for a dog or cat, why can't we accept that humans deserve an equally humane treatment? Intense suffering over a prolonged period at the end of one's life is a terrible thing, it sears itself into the memory of the loved ones who stand by helplessly. It is not a noble thing to die like this.

 

Again, today there would be a different approach. Palliative care has come into widespread practice, pain control has improved and yet, I believe, there are still cases where euthanasia is warranted. We have had a few high profile cases in Canada, I remember Ms. Rodriguez, who got a doctor to euthanise her after her appeals to the courts failed.

 

There are states in the US (Oregon is one I believe) where euthanasia is allowed under strict conditions. Ditto some countries in Europe. I hope to see it come to Canada as I think it has its place until we find the magic bullet that ends disease and suffering.

[+ Italiano]

 

If we will do this for a dog or cat, why can't we accept that humans deserve an equally humane treatment? Intense suffering over a prolonged period at the end of one's life is a terrible thing, it sears itself into the memory of the loved ones who stand by helplessly. It is not a noble thing to die like this.There are states in the US (Oregon is one I believe) where euthanasia is allowed under strict conditions. Ditto some countries in Europe. I hope to see it come to Canada as I think it has its place until we find the magic bullet that ends disease and suffering.

 

I SO agree with this!

 

And I am so annoyed when people begin to call God as "the only one who decides what's wrong and right", in the name of God we people discussing, talking and drooling over pictures of naked men on this Forum are already considered by many horrible sinners just by being what we are!

[MsGuy]

"there are still cases where euthanasia is warranted." Luv2play

 

Abstractly I can not disagree and I myself certainly intend to take whatever steps necessary to avoid spending my last weeks intubated on a ventilator, helpless and in pain in some hospital bed.

 

However it's no simple thing to implement legalization of euthanasia/assisted suicide w/o leaving room for dependant elderly or disabled folks to be intimidated by self interested relatives into a premature death. I would also suspect that the boundary lines for an "acceptable" choice would have a tendency to drift over time as the concept becomes more embeded in the popular culture. Some people will be tempted to act in less than honorable ways when their addled old grannies become an expensive burden, doubly so when there's an inheritance to be had. Recall what happened to Brooke Astor.

[Guest rohale]

I've already responded to this topic on another website. Since the topic has already been broached on this site, I'm going to somewhat repeat myself for what it's worth. I watched Ray Gosling's interview on prime-time national breakfast tv. Now while I have some sympathy for Mr Gosling. I've come to the conclusion that he did not have clear and unambiguous instruction from the victim to the degree that he wanted to be killed at that time. Now from Mr Gosling's account, he seemed to have taken the decision to kill the victim. In turn he asked the doctor to leave the room, sadly killed the victim. On top of that, failed to tell the doctors and nurses on duty or even the police the fact that he had indeed killed him. Even more suprisingly, he seemed to have no regrets at all.

 

Now for me it seems clear a case of premeditated murder as there can be and personal anguish surely is not a good enough reason for defence. Obviously there are many mitigating circumstances, however I do think there is a clear public interest to prosecute. Even if euthanasia is a good thing, this is not a good way to carry it out. Now British law on so-called "mercy killing" really have not changed since the early 1960's. Those convicted face up to 14 years in prison. I hope Ray gets a strong sentence and bloody well rots in prison for his crime. Once again in the aftermath, within Great Britain, I expect there to be another reinvigorated debate over natonal policy on assisted suicide.

[Bart]

To be perfectly honest I really see no point to his confession and why he did it because it comes off as a personal affliction that he has chosen to dump on everyone else. If he is feeling guilty, which is different than remorse, than go off in a corner and hold that guilt to yourself and feel you have gotten off easy. Why is it we feel the need in todays society to relieve our guilt by spreading pain around to everyone else. Getting rid of your guilt by spreading pain and anguish to everyone else so you can begin to heal and become a better person, sorry keep you guilt and live with it.

 

I am not as cruel to think he should rot in prison, but there has to be consequences for ones actions, in this circumstance he has given authorities few options. I am also appalled that the doctors and nurses actions. Given some recent experiences the best I can say is there are certainly some who are quick to pass the buck when things go wrong. I believe they probably were trying to show compassion but I just dont think it is up to us to make the life and death decisions. The thought of smothering someone just does not seem to be a very caring move.

 

Now the family of his lover gets relive the torment of the death all over again. I have mixed feelings regarding end of life status. First and foremost in this day and age please have a living will and with medical treatment statement. Easily done and can found on website and just requires a couple of witnesses, always better if non-family. I had to make that decision 7 months ago for my mother, but I knew what she had wanted as we had discussed it and she had her medical papers signed months earlier.

 

Just because time has passed and many in society have a different sentiment regarding this issue is not absolution for ones actions long ago.

[+ Lucky]

Mr. Gosling was today arrested on suspicion of murder. He is refusing to speak with the police on the subject.