No charges for man who killed wife in hospital

CARSON CITY, Nevada, United States — A district attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the murder charge against an elderly man who shot his paralyzed wife after she reportedly begged to die.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that 88-year-old William Dresser was arrested in January 2014 for killing 86-year-old Frances Dresser, his wife of 68 years.

She was at Carson Tahoe Hospital after a fall at home caused permanent paralysis.

Carson City District Attorney Jason Woodbury says Frances Dresser expressed a desire to no longer live and that her family requested William Dresser not be prosecuted.

Woodbury says he does not think there was any component of evil to Dresser’s act.

He said the case should not set a precedent allowing assisted suicide in Carson City. He said that is a question for the legislature.