In February 2012, a Queensland Court convicted Mr Merin Nielsen
of aiding the suicide of 76 year old, Mr Frank Ward. Mr Nielsen
procured the drug Nembutal (a barbiturate anaesthetic that is
frequently used in euthanasia) in Mexico and provided it to Mr
Ward. On 20 June 2009, Mr Ward died after taking the Nembutal.
There were indications that Mr Ward had pre-existing health
problems and endorsed euthanasia. Mr Ward had suffered a minor
stroke in 2007. Mr Nielsen asserted at his trial that Mr Ward had
another stroke on 11 June 2009. Further according to Justice Dalton
"[t]here is no doubt...that [Mr] Ward wished to take his
own life...where he was no longer
independent..."1. In spite of this finding,
and with Mr Nielsen pleading Not Guilty, other factors were
relevant in the finding against Mr Nielsen. Notably, Mr Ward had
not had his condition diagnosed by a doctor. He had also changed
his will, naming Mr Nielsen the sole beneficiary2.
