A QUEENSLAND man will stand trial charged with helping an elderly friend commit suicide using drugs allegedly obtained in Mexico.
On the last day of Merin Nielsen’s committal hearing on charges of aiding suicide and importing a border-controlled drug, his barrister Mark Green conceded there was sufficient evidence to send his client’s case to a higher court.
“I conceded there is a prima facie case made out in the material before your honour, and in accordance I consent for my client to be committed to stand trial,” Mr Green told magistrate Chris Callaghan in Brisbane Magistrates Court. Mr Nielsen, 49, of Mt Nebo, northwest of Brisbane, will stand trial in the Queensland Supreme Court, accused of helping Frank Ward kill himself in June last year.
Mr Ward was found dead in his Clayfield unit, allegedly from a high dose of a drug normally used to euthanase animals, and which is not readily available in Australia. The court was told that Mr Nielsen, who had power of attorney over Mr Ward’s assets and was the beneficiary of his will, was the last person to see Mr Ward alive. It’s alleged he travelled to Mexico to obtain the drugs for Mr Ward and that he helped the 76-year-old write a suicide note.
During a search of Mr Nielsen’s home following Mr Ward’s death, police found contact details for a suicide assistance group, the court heard. Members of Exit International had met with Mr Ward, and he had repeatedly told family members that he would end his own life if he became unwell. The court was also told Mr Ward had developed a distrust of doctors during his wife Anne’s 30-year battle with multiple sclerosis, and he had not wanted to burden his family with his ongoing care.
The court was told Mr Ward had been seriously unwell in the weeks leading up to his death, after possibly suffering a number of strokes. Mr Nielsen was granted a continuation of bail ahead of a yet-to-be decided trial date.
He was not required to enter any plea.
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