The accused man was the survivor of a suicide pact and was charged with murder. When he appeared in court the Crown made an application to further present him under the provisions of the Crimes Act (Vic.), 1967—amending legislation that, amongst other things removed the criminal stigma from suicide and attempted suicide. The accused was found not guilty of murder by direction but guilty of aiding and abetting suicide pursuant to a pact. The subsequent contested plea is considered in relation to the problem of punishment and treatment.
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