Pensioner tried to kill his 'suffering' wife as she fought for her life

Published on Friday 7 May 2010 00:20

A PENSIONER tried to murder his ill wife by smothering her with a pillow, and told police he had wanted to end her suffering.

John Millar, 67, failed in the attack in the couple's home because his wife, Phyllis, 65, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, fought him off. He claimed he would have taken his own life if he had succeeded in the alleged mercy killing at their home in Edinburgh.

Mrs Millar insisted to detectives that she had never said she wanted to die, and that she had made it clear to her husband that she was content with her life.

A court heard that in spite of what had happened, Mrs Millar wanted the marriage to continue.

Millar admitted attempting to murder Mrs Millar on 28 June last year at their ground-floor flat in Ravelston Gardens. He was remanded in custody at the High Court in Edinburgh and will be sentenced next month.

The court was told the couple had known each other for about 13 years. They had lived together for a number of years before marrying in August 2008. Mrs Millar had three grown-up children from a previous marriage, and the relationship between her family and Millar was not good.

"Mrs Millar was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis in 1984. Although her family have noticed a slow deterioration in her movement and physical abilities, they are not aware of any effect on her life expectancy or mental state. The accused was the full-time and sole carer for Mrs Millar. She is unable to walk and relies on a wheelchair," said advocate-depute Leanne Cross.

Millar, of Magdalene Avenue, Edinburgh, had a previous conviction, for fire-raising in 1991, and had been treated in a psychiatric hospital for depression and alcohol abuse. After this arrest, he was examined and found to be sane and fit to plead.

The couple had been due to go to a birthday party, but argued. Millar decided not to attend, and stayed up all night watching television and using the internet. Next day, he helped Mrs Millar out of bed and they had breakfast. In the afternoon, he put her back to bed.

"Around 5pm, the accused entered the bedroom and asked Mrs Millar if she wanted to live. She told him she did want to live. She was quite clear throughout this investigation that she had not at any stage told the accused that she wanted her life to end, and had never requested his assistance to die," said Ms Cross.

At 7pm, Millar again entered the room. He walked round to his side of the bed, picked up a pillow, placed it over his wife's face and pushed down.

"She could not believe what was happening, but eventually managed to react and got one of her hands between the pillow and her face, allowing her to breathe, while she fought the accused off with her other hand.

"He then told her he had to report what he had done. She was upset and crying. He made an emergency 999 call, stating, 'I tried to kill my wife… tried to smother her'," added Ms Cross.

Mrs Millar suffered no injuries. Millar told police she was strong and he could not bring himself to finish killing her. He had said if he had been successful in the attempt, the police would probably have found him hanging in the garage.

Ms Cross said Mrs Millar was now in a care home.

She added: "She has indicated that whatever happens she wants the relationship with the accused to continue."