Murder Charge Dropped in Mercy Killing

A prosecutor dropped a murder charge today against a stroke victim charged in the alleged mercy killing of his disabled wife and allowed Jay McFadden, 63, to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

The white-haired McFadden’s sobs echoed through the courtroom as Orange County Deputy Dist. Atty. Jeoffrey L. S. Robinson described the Jan. 19 gunshot death of Gladys McFadden, 61, and said her husband is willing to admit aiding and abetting her suicide.

Municipal Court Judge Alan N. McKone set sentencing for Sept. 29. Robinson said that the maximum possible sentence is three years in prison but that his office will recommend probation.

Multiple Sclerosis

Gladys McFadden had suffered from progressive multiple sclerosis since 1976. Along with her husband of 37 years, she planned their joint suicide.

They spent three days recording their suicide pact and goodbys into a tape recorder, according to their daughter, Kathy Ciccarelli.

But when they attempted suicide by sleeping pills, it didn’t work. So they recorded a second message and got McFadden’s pistol.

According to the defense, McFadden held the gun to his wife’s head and she pulled the trigger.

Then, because of the stroke that had destroyed portions of his memory, he forgot what to do next, the defense said.