Chapter 5 Scenario questions - Smith, Hogan, & Ormerod's Essentials of Criminal Law 4e, Student Resources

. Owain attacked John with a bat, intending to cause him serious injury. Owain later died in hospital.
What would be the most likely charge?

Murder.

Voluntary manslaughter.

Involuntary manslaughter.

GBH with intent.

. Valerie has been charged with murder. You are defending her. She tells you her defence is that she did not mean to kill and had not pre-planned it. Is her "defence" valid?

No – because malice aforethought is not technically needed.

Yes – because she did not mean to do it.

No – because she needs to use a named defence.

Yes – because she lacked malice aforethought.

. Dexter repeatedly hit Elijah on the head with a brick. Dexter claims he did not mean to kill, but admits that he realised at the time that death was a virtual certainty.
What type of mens rea is this likely to be found to be?

Malicious intention.

Direct intention.

Reckless intention.

Indirect intention.

. Zoe is charged with murder for causing the death of Michael. Zoe tells you that she was living with mental health problems at the time.
What would be the best partial defence to consider, on the facts?

Loss of self-control.

Diminished responsibility.

Duress of circumstances.

Self-defence.