R v Dr Bodkins Adams [1957] Crim LR 365

Dr Bodkins Adams had administered a lethal dose of pain killers to a terminally ill patient.

Held:

Dr Bodkins was acquitted of murder.

Devlin J:

"a life shortened by weeks or months is just as much murder as one shortened by years.... However, a doctor is entitled to do all that is proper and necessary to relieve pain and suffering even if such measures may incidentally shorten life."

Back to lecture outline on the law of Murder in Criminal Law