August 2, 2016
No charges to be laid after Max Bromson Death
Brad Crouch, Adelaide Advertiser
VOLUNTARY euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke will face no charges over the death of a terminally ill man who took his own life inside a Glenelg motel room two years ago.
Max Bromson’s family also will not face charges following the two year investigation by police.
The Bromson family now want their property seized by police returned, while Dr Nitschke also wants his DNA profile which was taken as part of the investigation destroyed.
The Bromson family and Dr Nitschke also want an inquest into the death — both parties say they want voluntary euthanasia to be firmly on the public agenda rather than being allowed to fade away due to no charges being laid.
Dr Nitschke had been questioned at length by homicide detectives over his relationship with Max Bromson before he swallowed a barbituate imported from China on July 28, 2014.
He had become involved with Mr Bromson and his family after Mr Bromson spent five years in severe pain while battling cancer.
Mr Bromson’s family flew in from interstate and overseas to be beside him when he died, and he asked them to videotape him taking the barbituate to show he did it voluntarily and without assistance.
When the family called police following the peaceful death detectives seized the videotape, phones, computers, searched the Glenelg motel room and took fingerprints, and warned the family they may face charges over the death.
The Advertiser reported on Monday that police said they were still investigating the death, two years later.
However, today SA Police released a statement saying its investigation into Mr Bromson’s death had been completed and no charges would be laid.
They instead would be preparing a report for State Coroner Mark Johns, who would decide whether to hold an inquest.
“The police report being forwarded to the Coroner comes after advice was sought from the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions about the possibility of criminal charges being laid in connection with the matter,” said a statement.
“On Monday 1 August 2016 the Director of Public Prosecutions advised that no charges should be laid.
“The South Australia Police, who have advised the relevant parties of this, are in full support of this decision.”
Mr Bromson’s sister Kerry who lives in Bowral in NSW, is now the convener of the Voluntary Euthanasia Party which has branches in NSW and Victoria and is about to launch one in SA.
“I just received a phone call from the police to say no charges would be laid which is a relief in one way but also means the SA government is off the hook as far as this being an ongoing public issue,” she said.
“Statistics show people are more concerned about reform for voluntary euthanasia than marriage equality but our governments are moving very slowly on the issue and in this case I think they would be relieved to see Max’s death fade from the public’s mind than have a court case.”
SAPOL said all property seized during their investigation would be returned to its owners.
The SAPOL statement comes the day after The Advertiser reported how Mr Bromson’s family wanted laptop computers, mobile phones, iPads and a video taken by Mr Bromson of him swallowing the barbituate returned to them.
Detectives also raided Mr Nitschke’s Gilberton property and seized items.
Dr Nitschke said there needed to be an inquest into the death.
“They took my DNA and fingerprints as part of the two year investigation — I want them destroyed and I want my property including laptop and smartphone returned,” he said.
“I am very keen for an inquest into Max’s death to show just how unsatisfactory the current situation is.”