murder Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the full definition of murder?

A

The unlawful killing of a reasonable creature in being under the King’s peace with malice aforethought, either express or implied.

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2
Q

What is the simplified definition of murder?

A

Unlawful killing with malice aforethought.

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3
Q

What is the actus reus of murder?

A

The unlawful killing of a reasonable creature in being under the King’s peace.

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4
Q

How can the killing be done?

A

Either through an act or an omission where D has a duty to act (include causation here).

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5
Q

Which case defines an unlawful killing and what is the definition?

A

R v Martin. Unlawful means unnecessary (i.e. D’s act was unnecessary).

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6
Q

When does life start according to the law?

A

Attorney General’s Reference No 3 1994- a foetus must be fully expelled from the mother’s womb and be capable of an existence that is independent of the mother, which means it must have been born.

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7
Q

When does life end according to the law?

A

R v Malcherek and Steel- when V is brain stem dead.

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8
Q

What does the law say about people who are not brain stem dead but have a poor quality of life?

A

Airedale NHS Trust v Bland- life sustaining treatment can be withdrawn from a patient in a persistent vegetative state as long as the court gives permission and it is in the patient’s best interests to do so. The patient is still a reasonable creature in being though.

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9
Q

What does it mean to be under the King’s peace?

A

A time of peace meaning the country is not at war.

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10
Q

When is a country not under the King’s peace?

A

DPP v Clegg- when war has been declared.

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11
Q

What is the mens rea of murder?

A

Malice aforethought either express or implied.

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12
Q

What is express malice?

A

The defendant expressly intends to kill.

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13
Q

What is implied malice?

A

The defendant intends to cause GBH.

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14
Q

What is the definition of GBH?

A

Really serious harm (DPP v Smith).

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15
Q

What is the leading case on implied malice and what does it say?

A

Vickers- intention to cause GBH is sufficient mens rea for murder if V dies.

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16
Q

What is direct intention for express malice?

A

D aims to kill. (R v Mohan)

17
Q

What is oblique intention for express malice?

A

The consequence of death was virtually certain and D knew death was virtually certain. (Woollin)

18
Q

What is direct intention for implied malice?

A

D aims to cause GBH. (R v Mohan)

19
Q

What is oblique intention for implied malice?

A

The consequence of GBH was virtually certain and D knew GBH was virtually certain. (Woollin)

20
Q

What did R v Matthews and Alleyne say?

A

Proving the 2 part Woollin test is only evidence of intent. It allows a jury to find intent but they don’t have to.

21
Q

What factors might suggest that D intended to kill or cause GBH?

A

-Use of a weapon
-Planning/ premeditation
-Motive
-Repeated attack
-Attacking a vulnerable area

22
Q

What else might be relevant in a murder scenario?

A

Coincidence and transferred malice.