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Raymond and Margaret Sutton had a severely intellectually and physically disabled son, Matthew. He was also blind and an upcoming operation was lilkely to render him deaf as well. The couple devoted their lives to Matthew, giving up a normal life to care for him, during which time they suffered depression, anxiety, nervous breakdowns, and alcohol abuse.
In April 2001 the Suttons killed their twenty eight year old son, and after some years of guilt and anxiety they confessed to the mercy killing. They were initially charged with murder but pleaded guilty of manslaughter.
Supreme Court judge Justice Barr said the couple had suffered enough. He sentenced them each to a good behaviour bond for five years.
R v Raymond Douglas Sutton; R v Margaret Ellen Sutton [2007] NSWSC 295, 4 April 2007.
1. Newspaper articles on Proquest ANZ Newsstand, available remotely to registered clients of the State Library of NSW. Type in Matthew Sutton and Raymond and Margaret Sutton.
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Matthew Sutton
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