Fatal Offences Flashcards
Define Murder
The unlawful killing of a reasonable creature in being, under the King’s peace, with malice aforethought express or implied
Actus reus of murder
- Unlawful killing - not self-defence or prevention of crime
- Under the King’s peace - killing in war is not murder
- Reasonable creature in being - is a foetus a reasonable creature? brain dead people?
Mens rea of murder
- Malice aforethought express or implied
- No MR for murder without forseight of consequence
Causation for murder
- Normal rules apply
- Must prove factual and legal causation
- Must be no intervening act that breaks chain of causation
Forseight of Consequence for Murder
- D must foresee that death or serious injury would be caused
- No MR for murder if no foresight of consequence
Oblique intent for murder
- When intention of GBH or death isnt obvious but it still resulted in death
Transferred Malice for Murder
- Normal rules apply
Coincidence of AR and MR
Normal rules apply
What is the Year and a Day Rule
Murder
- If a V was on life support and it had been 1 year and 1 day, then D can no longer be liable if V dies
- Abolished in 1996 Law Reform Act as was unfair
Vickers 1957
Murder
D broke into sweet shop. Knew old last was deaf. D punched V and kicked in head. V died
Only intended GBH but liable for murder as was reckless
Moloney 1985
Murder
Drunk playing ‘quick draw’. V said D didn’t have guts to pull trigger. D did and V died
D liable as was forseeable
What are the 3 denfences in voluntary manslaughter
- Diminished responsibility
- Loss of control
- Suicide pact
Define Diminished Responsibility
Voluntary Mansluaghter
- Someone who killled is not to be convicted of murder if they were suffering from an abnormality of mental functioning which:
1) Arose from recognised mental condition
2) Substantially impaired D’s ability to:
> Understand nature of conduct
> Form rational judgement
> Exercise self control
3) Porvides an explanation for D’s acts or omissions
Examples of Recognised Medical Conditions
Voluntary Manslaughter
- Paranoia
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Sleep disorders
- Depressive illness
Byrne 1960
Substantial Impairment
Voluntary Manslaughter
-D’s ability to do one of these things must be substantially impaired:
1) Understand nature of his conduct
2) Form a rational judgement
3) Exercise self control
Provides an Explanantion for D’s Conduct
Voluntary Manslaughter
- D must prove that abnormality fo mental functioning is the reasoning for his actions
- Has to be a casual connection
- Must be a significant factor in the killing
R v Golds 2014
Voluntary Manslaughter
D had history of mental disorders. Stabbed partner 22 times, killing her.
Mental disorders sufficient for substaintial impairment.
Byrne 1960
Voluntary Manslaughter
D was a sexual psychopath. Strangled and mutilated women. Medical evidence that he was unable to contorl perverted ideas
Convicted of manslauhter with diminished responsibility