Briton Faces Manslaughter Charge in Wife's Death in Cyprus

Defense lawyers for British man David Hunter expressed hope on Monday that the court in Cyprus will suspend any sentence they might hand down after he pleads guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wife, Janice, next week. Despite facing a charge of premeditated murder, Hunter's defense team argued for a charge of assisted suicide, which was denied. The court granted an adjournment until December 13, and although manslaughter carries a maximum life sentence, it's unlikely Hunter will receive a long prison term. The prosecution won't object to Hunter serving his sentence in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

• David Hunter, a 75-year-old British man, is on trial for the death of his wife, Janice, in Cyprus' coastal resort town of Paphos.
• Hunter faces a charge of premeditated murder but his defense lawyers had asked for a charge of assisted suicide, arguing that his wife had begged him to help her die.
• The court granted an adjournment until December 13, when Hunter's defense will argue for mitigation.
• Hunter's defense lawyers are hopeful that the court will suspend any sentence it hands down to their client.
• The prosecution won't object to Hunter serving his sentence in the UK.
• Any sentence of up to three years imprisonment can be suspended in Cyprus.
• Hunter's wife, Janice, died in December 2021 at the couple's retirement home, where many British expatriates live.
• Lesley, Hunter's daughter, said that her mother had "begged him for a long time (to assist her death) and was very clear about what she wanted."

Statistics:

• 75 years old: the age of David Hunter
• 74 years old: the age of Janice Hunter at the time of her death
• 3 years: the maximum length of imprisonment from which a sentence can be suspended in Cyprus
• 60,000: the estimated number of British expatriates living on the island of Cyprus
• 1: the number of written notes suggesting that Hunter's wife had asked him specifically to help her die, as cited by State Prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou.
• 1: the number of instances where Hunter attempted to take his own life after his wife's death, according to Michael Polak, a spokesman for Justice Abroad.

Sources:

• AP news wire
• Justice Abroad