CIB 013 - Homocide Law And Defences Flashcards
What are the 2 critical factors to consider for a charge of murder in relation to offender intent?
If offender intended to:
- Kill the person OR
- Cause bodily injury offender knew likely cause death
What charge is a survivor of a suicide pact liable for?
Manslaughter
Section 158 - homicide defined?
Homicide is killing of a human by another, directly or indirectly, by any means whatsoever
Caselaw: Murray Wright ltd?
Killing must be done by a human, an organisation cannot be convicted as a principal offender
Section 159 (1) - (definition of child becoming human)
Child becomes human when completely proceeded in living state from its mothers body, whether breathed, independent circulation or navel string cut or not
What does culpable homicide mean?
The killing is blameworthy, it includes murder, manslaughter or infanticide
Section 160(1)?
Homicide may be culpable or not culpable
Section 160(2)?
Homicide is culpable when it consists in the killing of any person by:
- an unlawful act
- an omission w/o lawful excuse to perform any legal duty
- both combined
- causing that person by threats or fear of violence to do an act which causes their death
- wilfully frightening child under 16 years/sick person
What is an unlawful act under S 160(2)(a)?
A breach of any act regulation rule or bylaw
Caselaw: R v MYATT?
An unlawful act under S160 for culpable homicide must be an act likely to do harm to deceased
Duties imposed by statute are mainly common law duties that have been embodied in statute. The crimes act 1961 defines duties across sections 151-157? (Exclude 154)
151-157
“IKESME”
Injury - vulnies adult- provide necessary and protect from injury
Kids - U18 as above protect kids when parent
Employer - provide food/clothing/lodging apprentice under 16
Surgery - use reas knowledge/skill when performing dangerous acts
Machines - take reas precautions/care when using
Endanger life - avoid omissions that…
Caselaw: R v TOMARS
Formulates the issues in following way:
(Threat/act/consequence/contribution
1- was deceased threatened by, in fear of or deceived (“TFD”) by defendant
2- if so did TFD cause deceased to do act that caused their death
3- was the act a natural consequence of def actions, something reasonable/responsible ppl in def position @time could reasonably foreseen those consequences
4- did the actions of victim contribute significantly to their death
What are some examples of culpable homicide caused by actions prompted by TFD?
- jumping out window cos think get assaulted and dying
- jump in river to escape attack and dying
- being assaulted, believe in danger and jump from train and dying
Section 163 - killing by influence on mind , what does this say?
No one is criminally responsible for killing another by any influence on mind alone, except by
Wilfully frightening a child /-16 or a sick person
No one has the right to consent to being killed, what section is this?
Section 63
Caselaw: R v HORRY
Death should be provable by circ”s & leave no ground for reasonable doubt. Circumstantial EV convince a jury no other rational hypothesis other than murder
What 2 sections provide protections that even when acts result in death they are not liable? What is the caviot though too?
Section 48 - self defence
Section 41 - prevent suicide/ offence cause injury to person/property
Force used must be reasonable necessary in circs
To establish death you must prove the:?
(3)
-death occurred
-deceased ID”d as person killed
-killing is culpable
Section 167(a) - murder defined?
if off means to cause death person killed
Section 167(b)- murder defined?
Offender means to:
-cause person killed bodily injury
- known to likely cause death
- reckless whether death ensues or not
Section 167(c)- murder defined?
If off means cause death or reckless to such means cause bodily injury and by accident or mistake kills another
Section 167(d)- murder defined?
- if off for UL object does act
- knows to be likely to cause death
- and kills another
Section 168(1)(a) - further murder defined?
If he means to cause GBH for purpose of:
-facilitating offence
-escape or avoid detection
Of any offence from subsection 2
-Or resist apprehension of offender in respect of any offence
And death ensues from such injury
Section 168(1)(b)- further murder defined?
If administer any stupefying thing for purpose of aforesaid and death ensues
Section 168(1)(c)- further murder defined?
If by any means wilfully stops breath of any person for purpose aforesaid and death ensues
If you are charging with murder under S167, you need to prove 1 of 3 intents or it will be manslaughter. What are the 3 intents?
“IKR” intended/knew/reckless
- intended to cause death
- knew death likely ensue
- reckless death would ensue
Caselaw: CAMERON v R?
Recognising real possibility actions would bring a proscribed result and actions were unreasonable
Caselaw/ R v PIRI
The risk of death foreseen by accused under S167(b) or (d) must be more than negligible or remote. Accused must recognise a “real or substantial risk” that death would ensue
Caselaw: R v DESMOND?
object = unlawful
accused know act likely cause death.
His knowledge accompanied the act.
Parties to S66(2)
-2 or more ppl form common intention for unlawful purpose and to assist each other
- each is a party to every offence committed by any 1 of them in the common purpose
- if the commission of that offence was known to be probable consequence
What is the penalty and what section for murder?
Life- section 172
Section 102 sentencing act?
Offender convicted of murder must be sentenced to life unless in circ”s manifestly unjust.
Must give written reasons
Define attempts?
Section 72(1) CA61
- having an intent to commit an offence
- does or omits an act
- for purpose of accomploshing their object
Caselaw: R v MURPHY?
When proving an attempt, it must be shown accused’s intention was to commit substantive offence.
Eg in attempted murder necessary to establish an actual intent to kill
What section is attempted murder and what 2 things must the crown establish?
Section 173
Establish the:
Mens rea (intent to kill)
Actus reus - (an attempt and sufficiently proximate)
Caselaw: R v HARPUR?
Court may have regard to conduct cumulatively up to point when conduct in question stops, what remains to be done is always relevant but not determinative
What is the penalty for attempted murder?
14 years
Section 174 and penalty?
Counselling/attempting to procure murder.
10 years
Section 175 and penalty?
Conspiracy to murder.
10 years