Exeter man, 92, admits manslaughter of wife after suicide pact discussion
Laurence Billam, 92, admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility after suffocating his 87-year-old wife, Shirley, at their Exeter home. He denied murder, and the Crown accepted the plea; the case has been adjourned for sentencing.
The couple were said to have discussed a suicide pact, as Billam did not want to leave his wife with responsibilities. He took an overdose of prescribed medication and was taken to hospital after police and paramedics were called on 19 April. Three psychiatric reports have been prepared, and social care was asked to assess possible accommodation.
- A 92-year-old man admitted manslaughter after his wife’s death.
- The Crown accepted diminished responsibility, not murder.
- Sentencing is scheduled for 20 November.
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Laurence Billam, 92, and his wife Shirley, 87, were an elderly couple living in Exeter. In April, Shirley died at their home after being suffocated by her husband.
Before her death, the couple had discussed ending their lives together, as Laurence was concerned that Shirley would be left alone without him. After Shirley's death, Laurence took an overdose of his prescribed medication and was taken to hospital when emergency services responded.
Cases involving elderly people and discussions about end-of-life wishes present complex legal and ethical considerations. Manslaughter by diminished responsibility is a legal charge that recognises a defendant's mental condition may have substantially affected their responsibility for their actions, as distinct from murder, which assumes full criminal intent.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Pensioner, 92, admits killing his 87-year-old wife in ‘failed suicide pact’”.