In order for a person to be found guilty of a crime, two elements must be present which are the actus reus (guilty act) and the mens rea (guilty mind). The first part of this essay seeks to consider the liability for homicide offences and also assess whether Jason, Welch, Ellis and Stevens have any potential defences based on the crimes they committed. P360
Will Jason be held liable for the death of pinky?
Pinky suffered harm from Jason’s act, in a situation like this, we would need to look at s. 18, s. 20 and s. 47 of the offences against the person act 1861. Jason’s state of mind was not fully stated, however it is likely that he had the mens rea for s. 20 which is causing grievous bodily harm or wounding as he appeared to have been punching
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Under common law, murder is committed where a person causes the death of a human being. For murder, the actus reus is unlawful killing which is what occurred in this case. On the other hand, to hold someone liable for murder, it is necessary to prove that he had the mens rea for murder which is malice aforethought. It has to be proved that he had the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm (direct and indirect intention). However, Ellis’s act led to the death of Daniels who had a literal thin skull. This means that a normal person in the same situation would have survived. Ellis has to take his victim as he finds him. This makes him liable for the death of Daniels. Nevertheless, Ellis was suffering from the effects of the hallucinogenic drug laced into his drink by his girlfriend. Ellis was involuntarily intoxicated and he was acting under the influence of the drug. He was said to have no idea that he was hitting Daniels but was striking at ‘demon clowns’ flying around his head and tormenting him. This means that Daniels committed the actus reus of murder without the mens rea. Since he lacked the mens rea, he would have the defence of intoxication (R V Kingston). Also, the fact that murder is a specific intent crime, his intoxication would serve as a
Citation: Morgan v Sate, 537 So. 2d 973 (Fla. 1989) Facts: James A. Morgan, the appellant, who at sixteen was diagnosed as organically brain-damaged and brain-impaired, murdered the elderly woman with whom he was employed to perform manual labor. Morgan is described as a teenage alcoholic, who since the age of four sniffed gasoline on a regular basis.
There is also an inclination to believe that if he had not suffered from this state, then the offence would not have been committed, specially not in the barbaric way it was done. Thus, it cannot be concluded that the accused willfully preformed the act, nor that the mens rea and the actus reus coincided while he was not in a psychotic state. (Roach, 113) Related to this finding is another element that supports the verdict of the Honorable Judge, which is the Principle of Fundamental Justice that states that no one should be “punished for morally involuntary actions.” (Roach, 82) A person who successfully raises the mental disorder defence is considered to be morally innocent of the act because they were not acting freely, in this case, free from psychotic ideations.
Sufferers often show regular intellectual functioning and are able to display affection. This explains why he is “stressed” when ask to be a witness. After he killed John and ran out of the house he began to get paranoid and show anxiety. He shows the anger from feuds with John Hossack and, after the trial by his “violent” tendencies. This evidence makes him obviously capable of killing him.
All rise for the honorary Judge Briskey. Please be seated. Mr. Montresor you are being charged with 1st degree murder of Fortunato due to the confession made to Mark Heyer about the murder how do you plea. Not guilty your honor. Very well the prosecution may proceed with their opening statement and i advise the jury to pay close attention to detail to determine the right judgement of this man.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we are here today to discuss the murder of John Wright. On November 15, Mr. Wright was found in his bed with a rope around his neck, presumably strangled to death. His body was discovered by his wife supposedly and did not bother to notify to the local authorities. At eight o'clock in the morning, Mr. Hale went to look for Mr. Wright and found Minnie, Mr. Wright’s wife, sitting in a rocking chair inside of the house. Mr. Hale asked Minnie for her husband and she stated that John Wright was dead in the bedroom.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you are here because one person in this courtroom decided to take law into her own hands. The defendant, Mrs. Dominique Stephens, murdered the man that she vowed to love. This sole act by the defendant is violation of all morals and her husband’s right to live. Afterwards, she even felt guilty about this violation of justice and called the cops on herself, and she later signed a written statement stating that she is guilty of the murder of Mr. Donovan Stephens. Then the defendant later recanted this statement and said that she only killed Mr. Stephens in self defense.
Introduction In the matter of R v Francis , the defendant (Glen Reginald Francis) was being tried for the attempted murder of Timothy Udris. On 8th June 2014, Glenn Francis (‘Francis’) attacked Timothy Udris (‘Udris’), who was hit at least two times with a claw hammer to the skull. The Crown submitted that Francis had attempted to murder Udris, under s306 Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld).
“ ‘Motive’ is not an element of second degree murder. ....[t]he state is not obligated to prove that the accused had a cause or reason to commit the crime of second degree murder; it is required to prove that the accused had the ‘specific intent’ to commit the crime. ”State v. Johnson, 324 So.2d 349, 353 (La.1975). As a result, the court of appeal committed error in reversing the defendant's second degree murder conviction because of its misplaced view that the State failed to prove motive, which is not an element of the charged offense.2
Accessory Manslaughter Jack Merridew, the defendant, is accused of being responsible for brutality that played out on an island and for the death of two young boys. In Illinois, anyone who assists another in the killing of someone can be convicted for Accessory Manslaughter. Looking at what Merridew took part in on the island, he may be guilty of this crime. To begin with, there is a precise definition of the law. Accessory Manslaughter is “knowingly assisting or helping someone commit a crime.”
In order for an act to become a crime, there must be intent present at the time of the act being carried out. The intent here is showed by the fact that the would be defendant was in a heated argument, left the argument, and returned back to the scene of the argument with a deadly weapon determined to kill his coworkers. The amount of time that passed gave Swafford a chance to consider his actions and deem them irrational and dangerous. This guilty state of mind defines his motives, making him guilty in the eyes of the
John Cade should be charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Robert Sheldon. Voluntary manslaughter is an intentional murder that is not premeditated and happens when the suspect is provoked. Evidence was presented that the suspect stabbed the victim deliberately. In Affidavit B, Ponyboy Curtis states, “He would kill the next person who jumped him.” This piece of evidence from the witness reveals that Mr. Cade stabbed Mr. Sheldon on purpose because he knew months ago that he would have to defend himself if something happened.
1. Outlines principles of law in relation to variances of an indictment in general, in relation to the “manners and means” of committing a crime. • VARIANCE TO INDICTMENT occurs when facts proved at trial are different from those alleged or specified in the indictment. • MANNERS AND MEANS is the way the crime is done and the method of committing the crime. For example, Zizzi’s wife was beaten/ hit which is the manner and the means/method is either the golf club or the ornament from the bathroom.
The Equal Justice Initiative set up by Bryan Stevenson has brought about many changes to the court system and the lives of many people. Stevenson has represented many different people, the majority of which were on death row for unjust reasons. Herbert Richardson, a Vietnam veteran with mental disabilities, was sentenced to death row after a bomb he made accidentally went off killing a child. Another man named Avery Jenkins, a man born with mental disabilities, stabbed a man to death believing the man was a demon trying to kill Avery. Although these cases have similarities and differences, they both show how flawed the judicial system is.
The judge declares the “Murder in the first degree—premeditated homicide—is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts. One man is dead. The life of another is at stake. If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused … then you must declare him not guilty. If, however, there is no reasonable doubt, then he must be found guilty.
Introduction This question requires for an understanding on the rules and principles relating to criminal liability for an omission. As well as whether the rules and principles are too restrictive on individual freedom. In order to have an understanding of the rules and principles of omissions, one first must understand how criminal liability is imposed. For a person to be found guilty of a crime they must have both the mens rea and actus reus of the committed crime.