Law vs. Justice -- The Robert Latimer Case

Robert Latimer is a Saskatchewan farmer now serving a mandatory Life sentence for killing his daughter Tracy. It is a sad story of a child who suffered for all of her twelve years on Earth, her family who lived with her pain, and the conflicted responses of their community and nation. The Latimer Case pits Law against Justice and forces Canadians to grapple with an ethical conundrum. Black and white law and order simplicities are not sufficient.

Reactions to what Robert Latimer did and what the justice system has done to him mirror our conflicting attitudes -- Quality of life vs. acceptance of death. The right to choose to die and the right of loved ones to choose for another who cannot act independently. Neither medical nor legal professionals have come forward to lead an ethical debate in that grey area that hovers around ASSISTED DEATH. By not taking a public compassionate stand, medicine, law, and lawmakers cause harm to individuals and make already tragic circumstances even worse.

Tracy Latimer almost died at birth. The miracles of modern science saved her life but condemned her to chronic pain and recurring acutely painful operations. She required constant care that she received primarily from her parents and younger siblings in their home on the family farm. (She was frequently hospitalized and she received some institutional care when her mother was pregnant.) Tracy was scheduled for more surgery within two weeks of her death. The medical prognosis was: no chance of a cure; recurring painful treatment; and chronic pain.

Robert Latimer, Tracy's father, on October 24, 1993, acted to release his daughter from pain. He placed her inside his running pick-up truck, inside a closed shed, and ran a hose from the exhaust pipe into the cab. He waited with her as she died of carbon monoxide poisoning and then carried her to her bed. Latimer later indicated he had also considered using drugs, a firearm, or fire to mask the cause of death. The RCMP officer who attended when Tracy's mother found her dead indicated that he suspected "a mercy killing."

Here is what I believe:

that Robert Latimer, his wife and children, loved Tracy.

that parents faced with a child with special needs grieve while they nurture.

that all members of families with special needs children experience caretaker stress.

that Robert Latimer knew that the law says "thou shalt not kill."

that, as a rural male, Robert Latimer believed it is wrong to allow any sentient being to suffer.

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