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{{short description|French murderer}} |
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'''Christine Malèvre''' (born January 10, 1970) is a former nurse who was arrested in 1998 on suspicion of having killed as many as 30 patients. She confessed to some of the [[murder]]s, but claimed she had done so at the request of the patients, who were all [[terminal illness|terminally ill]]. France, however, does not recognize a "[[right to die]]", and Malèvre eventually recanted most of her confessions. The families of several of her victims strongly denied that their relatives had expressed any will to die, much less asked Malèvre to kill them. |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} |
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{{Infobox criminal |
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| honorific_prefix = |
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| name = Christine Malèvre |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|01|10|df=y}} |
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| disappeared_date = |
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| death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> |
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| nationality = French |
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| citizenship = |
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| education = |
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| occupation = Nurse |
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| criminal_charge = Murder |
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| spouse = <!-- Do not include unless notable or relevant to the crime involved --> |
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| locations = François Quesnay Hospital, Mantes-la-Jolie, Paris |
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| fatalities = 30 |
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| apprehended = 1998 |
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'''Christine Malèvre''' (born 10 January 1970) is a former [[Nursing|nurse]] who was arrested in 1998 on suspicion of having killed as many as 30 patients. She confessed to some of the [[murder]]s, but claimed she had done so at the request of the patients, who were all [[terminal illness|terminally ill]]. France, however, does not recognize a [[right to die]], and Malèvre eventually recanted most of her confessions. The families of several of her victims strongly denied that their relatives had expressed any will to die, much less asked Malèvre to kill them. |
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'''Charges''' |
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==Charges== |
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While in questioning, Christine Malèvre originally admitted to assisting in the death of 30 terminally ill patients at Francois Quesnay Hospital in Mantes-la-Jolie on the outskirts of Paris,<ref>Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> a statement which she later on recanted stating that she made the original confession under duress.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Although being originally charged with the lesser charge of [[manslaughter]], Malèvre’s charge was upgraded to that of murder following a report that stated that the nurse had a “morbid fascination” with death and disease, and that patients were three to four times more likely to die while during Mme.Malèvre’s duty periods in the advanced cancer ward.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> According to Olivier Morice, a lawyer for five patients’ families who had died in Malèvre’s care, the charge of murder came about because the judge had realized “we are dealing with a serial killer more than with a Madonna of euthanasia”.<ref>Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Prosecutors argued for this charge to be seen as a murder charge rather than manslaughter, because they believed Christine should be treated the same way as any other serial killer rather than a Madonna of euthanasia.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> |
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Shortly after her release on bail, Malevre tried to commit suicide herself by overdosing on drugs, but was unsuccessful.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> |
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Malèvre initially admitted to assisting in the deaths of 30 terminally ill patients at François Quesnay Hospital in [[Mantes-la-Jolie]].<ref name="Sage">Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> She later recanted, stating that she had made her original confession under duress.<ref name="heroine">"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Although originally charged with the lesser charge of [[manslaughter]], Malèvre's charge was upgraded to [[murder]], following a report stating that she had a “morbid fascination” with death and {{nowrap|disease{{tsp}}{{mdash}}{{tsp}}}}patients were three to four times more likely to die during her duty periods.<ref name="heroine"/> |
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'''Trial''' |
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According to Olivier Morice, a lawyer for families of five patients who had died in Malèvre's care, the charge of murder came about because the judge had realized “we are dealing with a serial killer more than with a Madonna of euthanasia”.<ref name="Sage"/><ref name="heroine"/> |
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Malèvre went on trial in Versailles on 20 January 2003 on charges of murdering seven gravel ill patients while working at Francois Quesnay Hospital between 1997 and 1998.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> She faced up to life in prison.<ref>"French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Mme.Malèvre admitting to having killed four patients by injecting them with [[lethal doses]] of morphine, potassium or other various drugs,<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> but denied being responsible for the other three deaths.<ref>"French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> She went on to state that her reason for lethally injecting these patients was due to the fact that the patients requested to die, and she helped them do so out of compassion<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> In a book she later penned called “My Confession”, Malèvre stated “I helped people to end their suffering and depart in peace. I did not kill. I am not a criminal.”<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Prosecutors on the other hand did not agree with this statement. Nicknames The Black Widow by her colleagues, prosecutors told the court that Mme.Malèvre’s motive being ending the lives of these gravelly ill patients were not out of the kindness of her own heart, but rather due to her morbid fascination with death and illness, and by killing these patients she was satisfying her sick compulsions.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Families of the deceased also went on the record to agree with the prosecution that Mme.Malèvre killed for her own good not for the good of her patients, denying that their relatives had ever asked to die,<ref>"French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> statements which later on turned many of Mme.Malèvre’s supporters against her.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> |
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Shortly after her release on bail, Malèvre tried unsuccessfully to commit suicide by overdosing on drugs.<ref name="heroine"/> |
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'''Sentencing''' |
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==Trial== |
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After a four hour deliberation, Mme.Malèvre was sentenced to ten years of prison for the murder of six of the seven patients she had ‘assisted’ in killing. On top of this sentence, Christine Malèvre was also permanently banned from working as a nurse.<ref>"French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> |
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Malèvre went on trial in [[Versailles]] on 20 January 2003 on charges of murdering seven gravely ill patients between 1997 and 1998.<ref name="heroine"/> She faced up to [[life in prison]].<ref name="French nurse">"French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> She admitted to having killed four patients by injecting them with lethal doses of [[morphine]], [[potassium chloride|potassium]] or other drugs,<ref name="heroine"/> but denied being responsible for the other three deaths.<ref name="French nurse"/> She stated that her reason for lethally injecting these patients was because the patients requested to die, and she helped them to do so out of compassion.<ref name="heroine"/> In a book she later wrote, called “My Confession”, Malèvre stated “I helped people to end their suffering and depart in peace. I did not kill. I am not a criminal.”<ref name="heroine"/> |
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'''Controversy''' |
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Prosecutors did not agree with her statement. Having been [[nickname]]d "the [[wikt:black widow|black widow]]" by her colleagues, prosecutors told the court that Malèvre's motives for ending the lives of her patients were not merciful, but rather due to her morbid fascination with death and illness; by killing these patients, she was satisfying her compulsions.<ref name="heroine"/> Families of the deceased also went on the record agreeing with the prosecution that Malèvre killed for her own good, not for the good of her patients, denying that their relatives had ever asked to die,<ref name="French nurse"/> statements which would later turn many of Malèvre's supporters against her.<ref name="heroine"/> |
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The arrest of Mme.Malèvre raised national debate over both the case, as well as the controversial topic of [[euthanasia]] in France, where unlike Netherland and Belgium do not allow for euthanasia.<ref>"French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> France itself is divided between strong Roman Catholic hostility towards euthanasia, as well as mounting pressure from the liberals to decriminalize assisted suicide.<ref>Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> This division of pro and con euthanasia is just as visible in the divide between those who supported Christine Malèvre’s actions and those who did not. After originally admitting to helping 30 gravelly-ill patients kill themselves, Malevre received an outpouring of support from both the public and ministers.<ref>Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Malèvre received over 5,000 letter from the public showing support and appreciation for her acts of compassion, and Health minister Bernard Kouchner stated that everyone should avoid hasty moral judgement when it came to Malevre’s case.<ref>Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> The media was also generally sympathetic toward Malèvre, someone they described as a model nurse who was helping these terminally ill patients end their life of misery for the good of the patient.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> Despite this outpour of success, public opinion seemed to turn against Christine Malèvre when details of the case were leaked by judges and family members that stated the terminally-ill patients that Malèvre had ‘helped’ in ending their own lives neither wanted nor asked Malèvre to aid in their suicide.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> The main association that supports the right-to-die immediately dropped it’s support for Malèvre, and public opinion turned quickly against her to now support the prosecutor and lawyer’s opinion that Malèvre is not a Madonna of euthanasia and did not help her patients in any way, but rather is a serial killer who murdered these patients to satisfy her own dark compulsions.<ref>"Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.</ref> |
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==Sentencing== |
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After a four-hour deliberation, Malèvre was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for the murder of six of the seven patients she was accused of killing. She was also permanently banned from working as a nurse.<ref name="French nurse"/> |
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==Public opinion controversy== |
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France disallows euthanasia, unlike its neighbours, Belgium and the Netherlands.<ref name="French nurse"/> Malèvre's arrest raised a national debate over the case itself as well as over the controversial topic of [[euthanasia]] in France. The country was divided between strong [[Religious_views_on_euthanasia#Catholicism|Roman Catholic hostility towards euthanasia]] and mounting pressure from the [[Liberalism and radicalism in France|liberals]] to decriminalize [[assisted suicide]].<ref name="Sage"/> |
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After initially admitting to having helped 30 gravelly ill patients kill themselves, Malèvre received an outpouring of support from both the public and from [[French cabinet|minister]]s.<ref name="Sage"/> She received over 5,000 letters from the public showing support and appreciation for her acts of compassion, and health minister [[Bernard Kouchner]] stated that people should avoid hasty moral judgement when it came to Malèvre's case.<ref name="Sage"/> |
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The media were also generally sympathetic toward Malèvre, whom they described as a model nurse who was helping terminally ill patients to end their own lives.<ref name="heroine"/> However, once details of the case were leaked by judges and family members, public opinion seemed to turn against Malèvre. These leaks stated that the terminally ill patients had neither wanted nor asked her to aid in their suicides.<ref name="heroine"/> The principal French association supporting the right to die immediately dropped its support for Malèvre. Public opinion quickly turned against her to support the prosecution's opinion that she did not help her patients, but rather was a serial killer who murdered them to satisfy her own compulsions.<ref name="heroine"/> |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of serial killers by number of victims]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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<references/> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.upi.com/inc/view.php?StoryID=20030131-123450-9672r United Press International] |
*[http://www.upi.com/inc/view.php?StoryID=20030131-123450-9672r United Press International] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME = Malevre, Christine |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = French murderer |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 10 January 1970 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = |
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| DATE OF DEATH = |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Malevre, Christine}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Malevre, Christine}} |
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[[Category:Female serial killers]] |
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[[Category:French serial killers]] |
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[[Category:1970 births]] |
[[Category:1970 births]] |
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[[Category:French female serial killers]] |
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[[Category:French people convicted of murder]] |
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[[Category:French women nurses]] |
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[[Category:French nurses]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Medical serial killers]] |
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[[Category:Nurses convicted of killing patients]] |
[[Category:Nurses convicted of killing patients]] |
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[[Category:People convicted of murder by France]] |
[[Category:People convicted of murder by France]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Poisoners]] |
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[[Category:Health care professionals convicted of murdering patients]] |
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{{crime-bio-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 23:30, 14 March 2024
Christine Malèvre | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 January 1970 |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Criminal charge | Murder |
| Details | |
| Location(s) | François Quesnay Hospital, Mantes-la-Jolie, Paris |
| Killed | 30 |
Date apprehended | 1998 |
Christine Malèvre (born 10 January 1970) is a former nurse who was arrested in 1998 on suspicion of having killed as many as 30 patients. She confessed to some of the murders, but claimed she had done so at the request of the patients, who were all terminally ill. France, however, does not recognize a right to die, and Malèvre eventually recanted most of her confessions. The families of several of her victims strongly denied that their relatives had expressed any will to die, much less asked Malèvre to kill them.
Charges
[edit]Malèvre initially admitted to assisting in the deaths of 30 terminally ill patients at François Quesnay Hospital in Mantes-la-Jolie.[1] She later recanted, stating that she had made her original confession under duress.[2] Although originally charged with the lesser charge of manslaughter, Malèvre's charge was upgraded to murder, following a report stating that she had a “morbid fascination” with death and disease — patients were three to four times more likely to die during her duty periods.[2]
According to Olivier Morice, a lawyer for families of five patients who had died in Malèvre's care, the charge of murder came about because the judge had realized “we are dealing with a serial killer more than with a Madonna of euthanasia”.[1][2]
Shortly after her release on bail, Malèvre tried unsuccessfully to commit suicide by overdosing on drugs.[2]
Trial
[edit]Malèvre went on trial in Versailles on 20 January 2003 on charges of murdering seven gravely ill patients between 1997 and 1998.[2] She faced up to life in prison.[3] She admitted to having killed four patients by injecting them with lethal doses of morphine, potassium or other drugs,[2] but denied being responsible for the other three deaths.[3] She stated that her reason for lethally injecting these patients was because the patients requested to die, and she helped them to do so out of compassion.[2] In a book she later wrote, called “My Confession”, Malèvre stated “I helped people to end their suffering and depart in peace. I did not kill. I am not a criminal.”[2]
Prosecutors did not agree with her statement. Having been nicknamed "the black widow" by her colleagues, prosecutors told the court that Malèvre's motives for ending the lives of her patients were not merciful, but rather due to her morbid fascination with death and illness; by killing these patients, she was satisfying her compulsions.[2] Families of the deceased also went on the record agreeing with the prosecution that Malèvre killed for her own good, not for the good of her patients, denying that their relatives had ever asked to die,[3] statements which would later turn many of Malèvre's supporters against her.[2]
Sentencing
[edit]After a four-hour deliberation, Malèvre was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for the murder of six of the seven patients she was accused of killing. She was also permanently banned from working as a nurse.[3]
Public opinion controversy
[edit]France disallows euthanasia, unlike its neighbours, Belgium and the Netherlands.[3] Malèvre's arrest raised a national debate over the case itself as well as over the controversial topic of euthanasia in France. The country was divided between strong Roman Catholic hostility towards euthanasia and mounting pressure from the liberals to decriminalize assisted suicide.[1]
After initially admitting to having helped 30 gravelly ill patients kill themselves, Malèvre received an outpouring of support from both the public and from ministers.[1] She received over 5,000 letters from the public showing support and appreciation for her acts of compassion, and health minister Bernard Kouchner stated that people should avoid hasty moral judgement when it came to Malèvre's case.[1]
The media were also generally sympathetic toward Malèvre, whom they described as a model nurse who was helping terminally ill patients to end their own lives.[2] However, once details of the case were leaked by judges and family members, public opinion seemed to turn against Malèvre. These leaks stated that the terminally ill patients had neither wanted nor asked her to aid in their suicides.[2] The principal French association supporting the right to die immediately dropped its support for Malèvre. Public opinion quickly turned against her to support the prosecution's opinion that she did not help her patients, but rather was a serial killer who murdered them to satisfy her own compulsions.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Sage, Adam. "'Mercy killer' on murder charges." Times [London, England] 16 June 1999: 14. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Paris euthanasia 'heroine' on trial for 7 murders." Times [London, England] 21 Jan. 2003: 15. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "French nurse jailed in 6 deaths." New York Times 1 Feb. 2003: A4. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| Other | |
