Murder Flashcards
Case law
Murray Wright Ltd
Because the killing must be done by a human being, an organisation cannot be convicted as a principal offender:
Definition
Definition of homicide
Homicide is the killing of a human being by another, directly or indirectly, by any means whatsoever.
S158 Crimes Act 1961
When does a child become a human being?
When it has proceeded in a living state from it’s mother.
S159 Crimes Act 1961
Case law
R v Myatt
An unlawful act must be an act likely to do harm to the deceased.
Caselaw
R v Tomars
- Was the deceased threatened by, in fear of or deceived by the defendant?
- Did this cause the deceased to do the act causing death?
- Would a reasonable and responsible people in the defendant’s position have foreseen the consequences?
- Did these foreseeable actions of the victim significantly contribute to his death?
Describe S163 of the Crimes Act 1961
Killing by influence on the mind alone is not a crime except for wilfully frightening a child under 16 or a sick person.
Caselaw
R v Horry
Death should be provable by circumstances that render it certain and leave no ground for reasonable doubt.
For when there is no body.
When is homicide protected from criminal and civil liability?
S48 and S41
What is required to establish death?
- Death occured
- The deceased is identified as the person who has been killed.
- The killing is culpable
What is required to prove a charge of murder?
- The offender intended for the victim to die
- The offender knew that death was likely to ensue
- The offender was reckless as to whether death would ensue.
Caselaw
R v Desmond
The object must be unlawful and the accused must know that it
is likely to cause death.
Caselaw
R v Piri
Recklessness involves a deliberate risk taking. The accused must recognise a real or substantial risk that death would be caused.
Caselaw
R v Murphy
To prove an attempt to commit an offence it must be shown that the
accused’s intent was to commit the substantive offence
Outline the penalty for murder
S172 Crimes Act 1961 states liability for life.
S102 Sentencing Act 2002 states it must be life unless thst would be manifestly unjust
R v Harpur
The court may view the accused’s conduct in its entirety. What remains to be done is always relevant.
Describe the test for proximity
- Has the offender done anything more than getting himself into a position where he could start an attempt?
- Has the offender actually commenced execution?
R v Mane
To be an accessory, the offence must be complete at the time of involvement
What is the difference between voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter?
Voluntary manslaughter is when circumstances mitigate murder to manslaughter.
Involuntary manslaughter is when there is no intent to kill
What is the four point test for manslaughter?
- The accused must intentionally do the act
- The act must be unlawful
- The act mustbbe dangerous
- The act must cause death
R v Blaue
Those who use violence must take their victims as they find them
Define ‘Vulnerable Adult’
A person who cannot withdraw themselves from the care or charge of another person because of detention, age, sickness, mental impairment or any other cause
Outline the six legal duties outlined by S151 - S157 Crimes Act?
-Providing necessaries and protect from injury
-As above (parents & guardians)
-providing necessaries as an employer
-Using skill and knowledge when conducting dangerous acts
-Taking precautions when in charge of dangerous things
-Avoiding omissions that would endanger life
“Protect Parents Employing Dangerous Knowledge, Omissions”
What does S63 of the Crimes Act hold?
Nobody can consent to their death
Can a homicide that arises from sport be culpable?
Yes, but only if the act was one that was likely to cause serious injury or death
What constitutes a culpable homicide under S160 Crines Act?
-An unlawful act
-An ommision without excuse to perform a lawful duty
-Both combined
-Causing a person through threats, fear of violence or deception to commit an act that causes their death.
-Wilfully frightening a person under 16 or a child/sick person