Crimes Against the Person Flashcards
DEATH AS AN EXPECTED OUTCOME
OF D’S CONDUCT, Think
Murder
DEATH AS AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME
OF D’S UNJUSTIFIED RISK CREATION, think
THINK MANSLAUGHTER
Murder elements
3
unlawful killing + human being + malice
Manslaughter elements
2
unlawful killing + human being
Actus reus for murder
the act that results in the death
Can assisting someone in suicide incur accomplice liability for assister?
no, the death must be caused by someone other than victim (suicide is not homicide)
In situations when a victim is already dying, any speeding up the death will be held to be
The accelerating factor –> the actual cause of death
if the victim died more than one year and one day after the defendant’s act that was the cause in fact of death
Then the death is unforesseable and the ∆ is not the legal cause of the death
A defendant who does not personally kill the victim may nonetheless be legally responsible for a killing in the following four circumstances
(a) Accomplice to the actual killer may be held liable for homocide
(b) Conspiracy: where the reasonably foreseeable result of a conspiracy is a homicide + homicide committed in furtherance of the conspiracy. ALL MEMBERS can be held responsible for the homicide
(c) Substantial Factor: where both a 3rd party and ∆ together caused a victim’s death: both are the actual cause
(d) Co-Felon Liability: if the killing qualifies as a felony murder, non-killing co-felons may also be guilty of murder
What is the mens rea for all murders?
Malice (express or implied)
Malice is established by proof of
3
intent to kill;
intent to inflict grievous bodily harm; or
(depraved heart) an unintended killing resulting from extreme risk creation that manifests a wanton disregard for human life.
Intent to kill established by
2
- where the ∆ acts with purpose to kill or knowledge that conduct will kill
- Deadly Weapons Doctrine: inferred when ∆ uses a instrument designed to kill or used in a manner to inflict grievous bodily harm (can be superceeded by facts of other intent)
intent to inflict grievous bodily harm can arise?
2
intent to inflict grievous bodily harm can arise from
- conscious desire, or,
- substantial certainty that conduct will result in injury
Depraved heart murder is
Malice is implied where the defendant causes death as a result of an extreme risk creation that manifests a wanton disregard for human life.
Depraved heart murder is an unintentional killing resulting from:
(3)
reckless or grossly negligent conduct \+ that creates extreme risk to others \+ wanton indifference to human life
For felony murder, malice is established
automatically by causing a death during the commission of the “right type of felony
Felony murder elements
4
Unintentional injury that results in killing
+
Proximately caused
+
During the attempt, commission, flight from
+
Inherently dangerous felony
Right type of felonies for felony murder rule
2
- Listed in the murder statute
2. Be independent of the killing + inherently dangerous
When is a felony independent of the killing and inherently dangerous
If the primary purpose is serious physical harm, then not in the list of felonies for felony murder
When is a felony inherently dangerous?
(2) tests
This test is satisfied when the inevitable secondary effect of the felony is serious risk to human life.
- Abstract test (is it dangerous in the abstract?) (majority)
- Context test
Felonies that generally qualify for felony murder
BARRK
- Burglary
- Arson
- Rape
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
For purposes of felony-murder, the felony starts
When the ∆ could be convicted of attempting the underlying felony, there is no requirement that the felony be completed
The felony is deemed to have terminated, when
2
the felon has reached a temporary place of safety (no longer in immediate flight)
+
The felony is no longer ongoing
Felony murder Co-Felon liability occurs
When a victim is killed at the hand of one felon or another person, co-felon felony murder liability for that killing will vary depending on jurisdiction.
Majority rule for felony murder co-felon liability
Agency Rule
Felony murder liability is limited to the hand of the co felon
≠ liability for killings committed by non-felons
Minority rule/Traditional for felony murder co-felon liability
All felons were liable for any homicide that occurred during the perpetration of the felony.
Any death proximately caused by the felony was attributed to all co-felons.
Non-Violent Felon Exception applies when
A minority of common law jurisdictions
exempt from felony murder liability a non-violent co-felon, for example,
one who was not armed
+
and did not participate in or have any knowledge of the co-felon’s intentions
Deserving Victim Exception applies when
A minority of common law jurisdictions
also exempt from felony murder liability a killing of a co-felon (remember this as the “deserving victim” exception).