02/04/2002 "Suicide plea a first"

Suicide plea a first
- By ELISSA HUNT and CHRISTINE CAULFIELD (Herald Sun)

A MAN has pleaded guilty to helping his HIV-positive lover commit suicide in what is believed to be a Victorian legal first.

Raymond John Hood, 30, was originally charged with the murder of Daryl Colley, 31, in April last year.
Prosecutors dropped the murder charge in exchange for a plea of guilty to a count of aiding and abetting a suicide.

Mr Colley was HIV-positive and had gathered loved ones together for a wake, saying he wanted to "die with dignity".

Mr Hood, a father of two children, allegedly used a pillow to smother Mr Colley, who had taken prescription drugs and alcohol.

It is claimed Mr Hood later told friends the drugs and alcohol had not worked and he had to suffocate his lover.

"It didn't work, I had to finish him off. The bastard fought me too," he allegedly said.

A Supreme Court judge released Mr Hood on bail last year.

In his decision, Justice Allan McDonald said it was uncertain whether Mr Hood caused the death.

Mr Hood, of Yates Drive, Delahay, was yesterday ordered to appear in the Supreme Court in March.

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