City TV – Vancouver, BC, Canada

11/30/1980 – 08:50 a.m.

This is the official transcript recorded on November 30, 1980, by City TV reporter Jay Morris, during an interview with convicted wife killer Jack Richardson.

Morris: Jack, it’s been a year since you murdered your wife. Do you have any regrets?

Richardson: First of all, Jay…I didn’t murder her.

Morris: What do you mean? You were convicted of second-degree murder.

Richardson: My wife was suffering. I simply…ended her suffering.

Morris: So you think that it’s okay to end someone’s suffering for them?

Richardson: It’s what Daniella wanted.

Morris: What she wanted…hmm. But your father-in-law states otherwise. He says your wife, Daniella, was―how did he put it?―full of life.

Richardson: Rocco is right. My wife loved life. But that doesn’t mean she should suffer through it.

Morris: What led you to believe that you had the authority to end her suffering?

Richardson: She had that authority. I was just following her wishes.

Morris: Couldn’t you have let the hospital―

Richardson: The hospital? Jesus! They’d have kept her hooked up on machines for the rest of her life. She didn’t want that. Why can’t anyone understand? She did not want to be a vegetable on life support! She died because…she wanted to die. Her choice! No one else’s.

Morris: So you believe we should all be able to choose when and how we want to die.

Richardson: In a case where there’s no hope, why not? Why does society believe it’s right to allow a human being to suffer, in pain, waiting for the end for God knows how long? Don’t we put our beloved pets to sleep when they’re too far gone? Isn’t that what a caring pet owner would do? Why should this be any different?

Morris: You’re comparing your wife to a pet?

Richardson: Of course not! I loved my wife. She was everything to me.

Morris: Then why kill her, Jack?

Richardson: (no answer)

Morris: Mr. Richardson?

Richardson: Because she asked me to.

Morris: It must be hard on your daughter―Sarah, is it? How does she feel about what you did?

Richardson: I told you before this interview started that she’s off limits. Don’t go―

Morris: But you know she’s labeled now as a murderer’s daughter. That can’t be easy on―

Richardson: Back off, Jay! I won’t discuss my daughter with you. This interview is over.

Morris: You seem to be good at pulling the plug on things, Jack.

Richardson: And you seem to be good at being an ass. Guard! I’m done here.

Morris: Note to transcriber. Delete Jack Richardson’s last comment. Interview JR79-2DM over.

(*City TV is a real TV station but is used fictitiously here.)

Order Whale Song from Amazon.com or other online retailers, or from your favorite bookstore.