KEY POINTS:
Taumarunui man Ian Crutchley has denied attempting to murder his terminally ill mother, saying when he overdosed her on medication, he only meant to alleviate her suffering.
Crutchley, 49, is charged with the attempted murder of 77-year-old Elsie Patricia Crutchley, who died at Taumarunui's Avonlea Hospital and Home on February 5 last year.
Mrs Crutchley was in the final stages of terminal stomach cancer, and died within hours of her son giving her an overdose of her drugs, which included a cocktail of morphine, painkillers and anti-anxiety medication.
On trial in the High Court at Hamilton, Crutchley gave evidence today, and despite repeated questioning from crown prosecutor Ross Douch, maintained he never wanted to kill his mother.
"I didn't want to end her life, I love my mother, I didn't want to kill her," he said.
Psychiatrist and Mental Health New Zealand director Dr David Chaplow told the court at the time Crutchley gave his mother the drug overdose, he was likely to have been agitated and in a highly anxious state.
"I think at the time he was very vulnerable, in terms of his sleep deprivation, anticipated loss, and really wanting to administer to her pain."
Earlier, the court heard Crutchley had asked Avonlea registered nurse manager Janet Lester if there was something they could do to "make it quick and hurry her along," as his mother lay dying and in pain.
Yesterday Mr Douch said after Mrs Lester told Crutchley what he was suggesting was illegal, he manually administered an overdose of drugs to his mother.
The drugs caused Mrs Crutchley to fall into a semi-conscious state and she died later that day.
The crown said when interviewed by police, Crutchley admitted giving his mother the drugs and that he intended to kill her.
Crutchley's lawyer, Roger Laybourn, said Crutchley and his sisters had had to watch while their mother "thrashed about" and cried out "help me, help me".
All Crutchley wanted to do was to end his mother's pain, Mr Laybourn said.
"He loved his mother dearly, he would never try to murder her; however, he would do anything in his power to prevent her suffering unnecessary pain.
"What he was confronted with at that moment was pain, not quality of life."
Crutchley broke into tears and hid his face in his hands as the court watched a replay of his interview with police.
The jury of seven women and five men is expected to retire to consider its verdict tomorrow.
- NZPA
