Murder

Question 1

White(1910)

Answer 1

D put poison in mothers drink. She later died but from a heart attack not the poison. The courts established the ‘but for’ test for causation.

Question 2

Smith(1959)

Answer 2

D was a solider who was stabbed. As they carried him he was dropped twice and was not diagnosed with a punctured lung. The chain was not broken as the stab wound was the operating cause for the victims death.

Question 3

Cheshire(1991)

Answer 3

D shot a man and he was taken to hospital where his condition improved. He later complained of respiratory issues and died. Cheshires act made a significant contribution to the victims death.

Question 4

Roberts(1971)

Answer 4

D took v home after a party. He tried to take her coat off. She jumped out of the car. Victims act was a ‘natural consequence’ of the defendants actions.

Question 5

Pagett(1983)

Answer 5

Appellant shot at police who were trying to arrest him. He used a pregnant teenage girl, who he was previously in a relationship with, as a human shield. A bullet hit her and she died. D had done z dangerous acts which would have likely caused harm.

Question 6

Blaue(1975)

Answer 6

V refuses D’s sexual advancements, so D stabbed v four times. She needed a blood transfusion but her religion wouldn’t allow it. Without one she would die. The chain broke as she rejected the thing that would have saved her life.