Crimes against the person Flashcards
What is murder?
The intentional unlawful killing of another human being.
What are the elements of murder?
- Causing the death
- Of another human being
- Intent
- Unlawfulness
What is the authority for causation?
S v Tembani.
What is the two-stage enquiry for causation?
- Did the accused, in fact, cause the death of the deceased?
- Is the infliction of harm sufficiently linked to death to attract liability?
What is the requirement for the element of “a human being”?
Living human being i.e. a person born alive who is alive at the time of the conduct.
What is the authority for the element of “a human being”?
S v Mshumpa and section 239(1) of the CPA.
What does section 239(1) of the CPA hold?
At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with the killing of a newly-born child, such child shall be deemed to have been born alive if the child is proved to have breathed regardless of whether the child had independent circulation, proof of separation from the body of its mother is not necessary.
What is the authority for the element of intent for murder?
- DPP v Pistorius
- S v Siyaya (proof of subjective intent)
How can subjective intent of accused be proven?
By drawing inferences from the facts.
What is attempted murder?
An inchoate crime (the attempted intentional and unlawful killing of another human being)
What are the cases for attempted murder?
- S v Phiri
- S v Mshumpa
What is culpable homicide?
The negligent unlawful causing of the death of another human being.
What are the elements of culpable homicide?
- Causing the death
- Of another human being
- Negligence
- Unlawfulness
What is the test for negligence in culpable homicide?
Whether a reasonable person in the circumstances would have foreseen that death might be the result of a proposed course of conduct and would have taken steps to guard against death.
What is common assault?
The unlawful and intentional application of force to another person or inspiring a belief of imminent use of force.
What are the elements of common assault?
- Applying force or inspiring the apprehension of force
- Unlawfulness
- Intent
What is the element of applying force?
Application of force directly or indirectly.
What are the cases for indirect application of force?
- S v Marx
- R v Jolly
What is the enquiry for apprehension of force?
- The impression that the conduct of the accused created in the mind of the victim
- Apprehension must be that the attack is imminent
What is the element of unlawfulness for common assault?
Causing an impairment of X’s bodily integrity without justification.
What are the defences excluding unlawfulness for common assault?
De minimis rule.
What is the element of intent in common assault?
Dolus.
WHat are the cases for intent in common assault?
- S v Mdau
- S v R.
What happens if there is no application of force?
The State must prove that X intended to intimidate and frighten Y (apprehension of harm).
What is assault with intent to do GBH?
The application of force with the intention to cause GBH.
What are the elements of assault with intent to commit GBH?
- Assault
- Unlawfulness
- Intent
- GBH
What is the element of assault and unlawfulness?
Actual force must be used.
What are the factors taken into consideration to determine the element of intent for assault with intent to do GBH ito S v Bergh?
- Weapon used
- The way the weapon was used
- The degree of force
- The part of the body aimed at
- The persistence of the attack
- The nature of the injuries inflicted
What is grievous bodily harm?
Harm which seriously interferes with health, something more than an ordinary assault.
What is kidnapping?
Unlawfully and intentionally depriving a person of their freedom of movement and, if that person is under 18 years of age, the custodian/s of their control over the child.
What are the elements of kidnapping?
- Deprivation
- A person’s freedom of movement (and/or parental control)
- Unlawfulness
- Intent
What are the defences to the element of unlawfulness for kidnapping?
- Consent
- Official capacity.