Inclusion Daily Express -- Wragg Allowed To Visit Son's Grave

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Wragg Allowed To Visit Son's Grave
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 3, 2005

WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND--Andrew Wragg was back in court Tuesday asking a judge to make an exception in his bail arrangement so he could visit the grave of the 10-year-old son he admitted killing.

According to the Press Association, Judge Richard Brown agreed to modify the bail, which had banned Wragg from entering West Sussex, where Jacob Wragg is buried, or visiting his other son without supervision. Brown also allowed Wragg to visit his father's home to pick up some belongings.

Wragg, 37, is scheduled to be retried for murder in November. A jury in March was unable to reach a verdict.

Wragg confessed to smothering Jacob to death with a pillow last July 24, but claimed it was a "mercy killing" to keep the boy from suffering from Hunter syndrome. Children who have Hunter syndrome usually experience mental and physical disabilities and seldom live past age 20. Jacob was blind, could not speak, and walked only on his tiptoes at the time of his death. Witnesses testified, however, that he was happy and active just before his father killed him.

During the trial, prosecutors said Wragg plotted to end Jacob's life because he was frustrated that the child no longer recognized him. A military security specialist, Wragg also claimed that he was under stress after returning from the Iraq war. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Jacob's death is one of many cases of "altruistic filicide", in which a parent kills a child -- often one with disabilities -- claiming the death is "for the child's own good".

Related:
"Jacob Wragg: Dad Admitted Killing Son Because of His Disability" (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)

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