Omar Punte and Wife in Court Battle

Omar Puente, the Cuban jazz violinist well known to audiences through his superb playing with jazz saxophonist superstar Courtney Pine, goes to the High Court in London today to support his wife in their fight to clarify the law in the United Kingdom on assisted suicide. Debbie Purdy (Omars’ wife) suffers from multiple sclerosis and wishes, at some date in the future, to travel to the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland to end her life in a dignified way with assisted suicide. Under current U.K. law if her husband travels with her he will be liable for prosecution for assisting her. To date no prosecutions have been taken under this statute but prosecution is possible, and at the very least Omar will face arrest and questioning by the police, coupled with the emotional stress of the threat of court action at a time of severe emotional turmoil caused by the death of his wife. Currently the offence of assisted suicide carries a sentence of up to 14 years imprisonment. “There is strong support for a change in the law,” defence lawyer Lord Falconer said. “Most people would think compassionate assisters should not be prosecuted for taking their loved ones to Switzerland.” This writer wishes them success in their fight.