Doctor, 90, accused in mercy killing of wife dies
The 90-year-old doctor who was accused last month in a mercy killing for his terminally ill wife before turning the gun on himself has died of his injuries.
As a result, the Orange County district attorney's office has dismissed the case, officials announced today.
Authorities alleged that James Fish gave his 88-year-old wife, Phyllis, morphine before opening fire at their home in the Laguna Woods retirement community.
The district attorney's office had charged Fish with voluntary manslaughter.
He died Tuesday at an Orange County hospital.
-- Shelby Grad
Photo: Phyllis Fish. Credit: Los Angeles Times
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
May these two find peace wherever they are.
Posted by: chad | October 07, 2009 at 01:50 PM
RIP.
Posted by: john | October 07, 2009 at 01:56 PM
I'm sure the OCDA's Office really hated to dismiss this case. They would have loved to have put Dr. Fish on trial. They would have denegrated all the good he had done and made him appear to be an animal and rogue doctor.
May they both rest in peace.
Posted by: BeeBop BeeBoop | October 07, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Very sad all for all involved.
Posted by: SurfPuppy | October 07, 2009 at 02:13 PM
How sad.
Posted by: Rick | October 07, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Rest in peace, doc.
Posted by: Hobo Mike | October 07, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Sucks to be old and sick in America.
Posted by: juan | October 07, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I guess this is what happens when one grows old with one's love.
Posted by: SeanBoy | October 07, 2009 at 03:26 PM
May he rest in peace and thank God, he did not have to suffer the indignity of facing a trial for loving his wife,,,
Posted by: jack mcallister | October 07, 2009 at 03:32 PM
How sad that the woman was not able to die peacefully under her own volition.
The law is so screwed up that her poor husband did her a favor and then killed himself knowing that he was getting himself in a ton of trouble for helping his wife.
Surely the DA could find better things to do than charge people for exercising their free will, huh?
Tony
Irvine
Posted by: tonye | October 07, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Bee Boop, upon what do you base that statement regarding the OCDA?
Posted by: Mufon | October 07, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Rest in Peace to both. He was a brave man who did a brave thing for his wife.
I can only hope that we all have the courage and strength to do what's right at our old age.
And perhaps the Police Department will spend their time better than on crap like this.
Posted by: Gaucho420 | October 07, 2009 at 05:20 PM
As a Christian, I work diligently on not Judging others, lest I be judged bu the standards I apply. Most of the comments here are judging either this doctor or the DA's office. Why do you note the speck in your brother’s eye and take no notice of the speck in your own eyes?
As a Christian, all I will do is sincerely pray for the doctor's salvation, the DA's salvation, and those of everyone who makes comments judging others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Posted by: John Mendez | October 07, 2009 at 06:05 PM
It might suck to be old and sick in America, but i'd rather be old and sick here than... let's see...hmm... let's just say anywhere else in the world.
Posted by: DS | October 07, 2009 at 06:35 PM