Philippe Hébert, 74, was sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest after pleading guilty to manslaughter for the death of his husband, Richard Rutherford, 87, on April 15, 2022. The judge described the act as “an assisted-suicide mercy killing,” noting that Rutherford had requested Hébert’s help due to his failing health. Despite being close to murder, the judge acknowledged that Hébert honored his husband’s last wish and posed no threat to society. Hébert’s lawyer emphasized the tragic circumstances, and the defendant expressed no regrets, supported by friends in court.
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