This article discusses the case of George Beecham who assisted in the suicide of his daughter. It is suggested that a serious injustice is done to such defendants in the United Kingdom. The author asserts this injustice would be easily corrected by the creation of a suitably closely defined defence analogous to mercy killing. The defence could be closely defined by being restricted to those who act out of a certain kind of compassion in aiding & abetting a suicide. (13 notes)