Brett Daniel Taylor: Accused Gold Coast euthanasia ring leader applies for bail
A Gold Coast businessman has been bailed following allegations he placed a hood over a man before assisting in his suicide, and tried to manipulate paramedics into issuing death certificates.
A Gold Coast businessman has been bailed following allegations he placed a hood over a man before assisting in his suicide, and tried to manipulate paramedics into issuing death certificates.
Main Beach man Brett Daniel Taylor, 53, appeared via video link in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday facing 14 charges including trafficking and possessing dangerous drugs.
Mr Taylor is facing three counts of aiding a suicide including a Hope Island quadriplegic man and a 75-year-old Ashmore man.
Mr Taylor allegedly sourced pentobarbital, a euthanasia drug, through a registered charity called Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd that was supposed to euthanise beached whales.
Police allege the charity was a front for Mr Taylor to obtain and sell the drug for assisted suicide.
Mr Taylor, who ran a wills and probate business called End of Life Services, is also facing other charges brought against him by the Legal Services Commissioner.
The court heard Mr Taylor had meetings where he recruited people into using drugs, that he sold them, to aid in suicide.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Matthew Thompson alleged Mr Taylor’s involvement varied, including one occasion where he allegedly placed a hood over a victim before assisting in their suicide.
On another occasion Mr Taylor allegedly gave out a deadly drink in a room that he set up.
Sergeant Thompson alleged once the drink was consumed, Mr Taylor attempted to manipulate the attending Queensland Ambulance Service officers into issuing a death certificate so the incident would not be investigated by the coroner.
The prosecution opposed bail, citing the serious nature of the offending and fresh concerns from a Crown witness who alleged Taylor counselled them on what to tell police to avoid being detected.
Sergeant Thompson said there was a high likelihood of further offences being committed.
“That’s not true Your Honour,” Mr Taylor said in court.
It was further alleged Mr Taylor wanted to travel abroad to expand his illicit drug business, with contacts in Thailand, China and Russia.
Sergeant Thompson alleged Mr Taylor made plans to market his operation through euthanasia advocacy organisation Exit International and travel to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Sydney to sell the life-ending drug.
The court heard the prosecution alleged Mr Taylor had infiltrated Exit International which defence barrister Simon Lewis, instructed by Potts Lawyers, said put a sinister spin on Mr Taylor’s business.
Mr Lewis told the court while Mr Taylor may have said in some cell phone intercepts he wished to travel, he was not a flight risk, noting he did not flee during initial LSC investigations.
Mr Taylor was also willing to surrender his passport, which has since expired and not been renewed.
Magistrate Lisa O’Neill said the charges were serious but ultimately granted Mr Taylor bail under strict conditions.
Mr Taylor was one of three people arrested following a police investigation into the death of a 43-year-old Hope Island quadriplegic David Llewellyn Bedford.
Euthanasia advocate Elaine Arch-Rowe, 81, was also arrested and charged with attempt to aid a suicide, trafficking dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs and the sale of potential harmful things.
Mr Taylor’s father, 80-year-old Ashmore man Ian George Taylor, was charged with one count each of possessing and trafficking dangerous drugs.
No pleas have been entered.
More Coverage
Originally published as Brett Daniel Taylor: Accused Gold Coast euthanasia ring leader applies for bail
