Daniel James (assisted suicide)
Encyclopedia
Daniel James was a young British
man who obtained assisted suicide
in 2008 after being paralysed.
James was paralysed playing rugby on 12 March 2007. Due to his paralysis James required help to get to the Dignitas
clinic in Switzerland
. This help came, despite their protestations against his decision, from his parents. His assisted suicide took place on September 12, 2008.
His parents' actions were likely to have contravened English law. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions
determined that prosecuting them would not be in the public interest.
Around the same time Sky TV
broadcast the death of a man as he committed suicide with assistance and this led to James's case receiving additional coverage on British television news.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
man who obtained assisted suicide
Assisted suicide
Assisted suicide is the common term for actions by which an individual helps another person voluntarily bring about his or her own death. "Assistance" may mean providing one with the means to end one's own life, but may extend to other actions. It differs to euthanasia where another person ends...
in 2008 after being paralysed.
James was paralysed playing rugby on 12 March 2007. Due to his paralysis James required help to get to the Dignitas
Dignitas (euthanasia group)
Dignitas is a Swiss assisted dying group that helps those with terminal illness and severe physical and mental illnesses to die assisted by qualified doctors and nurses...
clinic in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. This help came, despite their protestations against his decision, from his parents. His assisted suicide took place on September 12, 2008.
His parents' actions were likely to have contravened English law. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world...
determined that prosecuting them would not be in the public interest.
Around the same time Sky TV
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
broadcast the death of a man as he committed suicide with assistance and this led to James's case receiving additional coverage on British television news.