New Zealand Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

New Zealand Case Law

Mercy killing/assisted suicide
  • 14 May 2021

    R v MORTON [2021] NZHC 1096

    Citation
    [2021] NZHC 1096
    Court
    High Court

    Court adopted an 18‑month imprisonment starting point based on clear premeditation and the victim's extreme vulnerability; applied a full 25% discount for an early guilty plea and a combined 25% discount (20% for age/serious health/mental state and 5% for genuine remorse), yielding an adjusted term of nine months which enabled consideration of a non‑custodial option; balancing sanctity of life and proportionality, court imposed four and a half months' home detention with strict conditions including restricted visits to the victim with permission and approved supervision.