94-year-old Florida man allegedly murdered wife because she had dementia

[ansible]

VENICE, Fla. — A 94-year-old man faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder after shooting and killing his wife because she'd had dementia, according to the Venice Police Department.

Wayne Juhlin shot and killed his 80-year-old wife on Monday night, according to police.

Juhlin told police that "he intended on turning the gun on himself and taking his own life after killing his wife, but the gun malfunctioned."

After the gun prevented him from carrying out his suicide, Juhlin eventually called 911 to reported that his wife was dead.

Juhlin was arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder. He is currently at the Sarasota County Jail.

https://www.3newsnow.com/news/national/94-year-old-florida-man-allegedly-murdered-wife-because-she-had-dementia

[gratuitous]

1. So much easier to get a gun than to get access to health care

Shock us this should not.

[ansible]

4. There's nothing medical science can do yet for dementia

Be glad you haven't experienced it yet for a loved one, it's a nightmare.

[gratuitous]

6. No, but caregivers can get a break, and don't have to feel isolated and helpless

A fully-functioning health care system would provide services to the friends and families of dementia sufferers, allowing them time off while qualified, trained personnel took over for a few hours or a weekend.

But what makes you think I haven't experienced dementia in a loved one? Or several loved ones?

[ansible]

8. Apologies, I thought you haven't

Such services are nightmarishly expensive though for the average person and just simply isn't an option.

[gratuitous]

11. Which goes back to my point

That we need a better health care system so that getting sick at the end of one's life doesn't mean losing everything you have or feeling so hopeless that shooting your wife seems like the best of an array of bad options.

[Coventina]

2. Dementia runs in our family. My siblings and I have a murder/suicide pact.

I know it sounds horrific, but after what we went through with our mother, we are NOT doing it again.

My thoughts and sympathy go out to this poor man.

May he find peace, somehow.

[snowybirdie]

3. Don't judge

One of my best and oldest friends died in a similar situation. In this case her husband also had terminal lung cancer and he committed suicide after killing her. A tragic day for all.

[Jirel]

14. I'm sorry... and I get it.

I know a number of people who've at least contemplated it. It's tragic that it has to get that far because there is no damned support for any adult in a medical and life crisis. I suspect my father may have gone this route before my mother died, until I was able to get him to take on home health. But he was lucky - he had money to do that.

[Zoonart]

5. Those poor souls.

I would never judge this. I have gone through this with my parents and it is a terrible way to live.
Very very sad. I hope the rest of this family can find peace.

[Hortensis]

13. +1000. And him.

I've told my husband that, if someday I am unable to speak for myself, if he believes I get no enjoyment from living, just trapped in it, he's to do whatever he can to let me go.

We were "fortunate," sorta, in my mother-in-law, the one dependent on us at the end. A series of occult, undiagnosed mini-strokes turned a dynamic, bad-ass of a woman into a perky, chirpily happy little demented woman. Sorta because she was very strong-minded and had had every intention of committing suicide while she was still capable. She would have loathed becoming this other person who was delighted with her assisted living facility and all her new friends, but shooting her as she'd have wished was out of the question.

[Jake Stern]

7. Would have such a hard time convicting him

[Coventina]

9. I'd have to tell the court flat out that I wouldn't.

So, probably dismissed from the jury pool.

[bullwinkle428]

10. I have family experience with dementia, and am in exactly the same boat

as you.

[Delmette2.0]

12. Rec'd for the comments of compassionate DU'ers

I have my own suicide plans when things get intolerable, my son and sister tell me they understand. I love them for respecting my wishes.

[obamanut2012]

15. Also an easy way to murder a spouse, especially wives

It happens a lot, usually a husband killing a wife sick with something. No compassion, he had no right to take her life. She isn't here to say she should die, or that her dementia was that bad.

And, in MOST of these accounts, they say they were going to kill themselves, too, but oh, the gun malfunctioned, or they changed their mind. So, they are alive.

John Bayley used to kinda brag how he beat and demeaned his wife, Iris Murdoch, after her Alzheimer's presented itself. He couldn't stand helping her or her being "stupid."

[HipChick]

18. Going through this with my father right now..

[Volaris]

17. I would propose that our First Right as sentient living beings, is the right to determine

how we will die.

With something like dementia, it requires a living will to enact.

Christians think we shouldnt do it. I think Jesus of Nazerath provides an example to the contrary.

YMMV.