Self-test questions: Murder

. Which of the following scenario conclusively does not represent an unlawful homicide?

Mary was late for school and ran across a busy road without looking. Jordan was driving to work and was unable to stop before running Mary over. Mary died as a result of her injuries.

Alice received a work call on her mobile phone whilst she was driving to her destination. As she looked away from the road to answer her phone she runs over Phil and kills him.

Cheryl is enraged when Oti insults her song choice for her act. Oti then accuses Cheryl of having no dancing talent herself. Incensed, Cheryl stabs Oti who dies from her wounds.

Matt and Oliver both like Suzie. After a night out the two men fight about Suzie. Matt pushes Oliver who falls and hits his head on the kerb. He dies as a result of a fractured skull he received when he hit his head.

Drogba places a bomb on a coach. Alf the driver is alone when the bomb explodes and he dies from his injuries.

. Ben was walking home after a football match when he encountered Vic, a rival supporter. Ben hit Vic to the ground and repeatedly kicked Vic in the head intending to cause really serious injuries, however, Vic died as a result of his injuries. Which of the following statements most accurately represents the law of murder that applies to Ben?

Following the case of R v Woollin, Ben will be guilty of Vic's murder as he had an intention to cause him grievous bodily harm.

In accordance with s. 1 Homicide Act 1957, Ben will not be guilty of Vic's murder as he did not have the intention to kill.

Following the case of R v Vickers, Ben will be guilty of Vic's murder as he had an intention to cause him grievous bodily harm.

In accordance with s. 2 Homicide Act 1957, Ben will not be guilty of Vic's murder as he did not have the intention to kill.

Following the case of R v Vickers, Ben will not be guilty of Vic's murder as he only had an intention to cause him grievous bodily harm.

. Gregory was walking home after a football match when he encountered Faisal, a rival supporter. Gregory hit Faisal to the ground and repeatedly kicked Faisal in the head intending to cause really serious injuries.

Faisal was rendered unconscious by the attack and believing him to be dead, Gregory, put the 'body' into a disused supermarket trolley and took Faisal to a nearby park where Gregory dumped him in an ornamental lake. In fact, Faisal's injuries were not fatal but he subsequently died from drowning.

Which of the following statements most accurately reflects Gregory's liability for the death of Faisal?

Gregory is not criminally liable for Faisal's murder, because when he attacked Faisal he only intended to cause him really serious harm.

Gregory became criminally liable for Faisal's murder at the point he placed him in the supermarket trolley and not at a later point.

Gregory became criminally liable for Faisal's murder at the point he repeatedly kicked him in the head and not at a later point.

Gregory is not criminally liable for Faisal's murder, because Gregory did not have the mens rea at the time of Faisal's death.

Gregory is criminal liable for Faisal's murder, because the actus reus was a continuing act or series of events and he formed the mens rea at some point during that act or series of events.

. Danny places a powerful bomb under the pilot's seat of Edwina's light aircraft. He knows that Edwina will herself be piloting it from London to Oslo and the bomb is set to explode when she reaches 'cruising altitude' over the North Sea. He also knows that Edwina's baby daughter always flies in the plane with her. Danny stands to inherit a fortune on Edwina's death, regardless of whether the baby lives or dies. The bomb is very reliable. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects Danny's liability for the baby's death?

Danny directly intends the death of the baby because the result is an inevitable side-effect of his actions, whether he desires it or not.

Danny directly intends the death of the baby because it is the result he desires.

Danny indirectly intends the death of the baby because the result is one that a reasonable would consider to be a certain side-effect of his actions and he is aware of this.

Danny indirectly intends the death of the baby because the result is one that a reasonable would consider to be a virtually certain side-effect of his actions and he is aware of this.

Danny does not intend the death of the baby, as he only desires that Edwina die.

. Kano places a powerful bomb under the pilot's seat of Princess' light aircraft. He knows that Princess will be piloting it from London to Oslo and the bomb is set to explode when she reaches 'cruising altitude' over the North Sea. Kano stands to inherit a fortune on Princess' death. He is aware that the type of detonator used in the bomb is notoriously unreliable. On this occasion it works as planned and Princess dies. Which statement most accurately reflects Kano's criminal liability for the murder of Princess?

Kano is criminally liable for Princess' murder because a reasonable person would foresee that her death was a virtually certain consequence of Kano's actions and he would be aware of that.

Kano is criminally liable for Princess' murder because it was his aim and purpose to kill her.

Kano is not criminally liable for Princess' murder because his primary aim was to inherit a large sum of money.

Kano is not criminally liable for Princess' murder because the detonator was unreliable and he could not be certain that it would work.

Kano is not criminally liable for Princess' murder because it was only highly probable that the detonator would work.

. As a joke Oscar removed most of the screws from his son, Kieran's, favourite chair so that it would collapse when Kieran sat on it. Quite unexpectedly, Oscar's elderly mother Doreen arrived and sat on the chair, falling awkwardly. She broke her arm and leg and died a few weeks later from the shock of the situation.

Which of the following statements is most accurate in respect of the law of murder and Oscar's potential criminal liability for murder?

Oscar is guilty of Doreen's murder, because his actions satisfy the actus reus for murder and he could foresee that Doreen would be cause really serious harm.

Oscar is guilty of murder because his actions satisfy the actus reus for murder and he could foresee that Doreen's death was a possibility.

Oscar is not guilty of murder, because the actus reus cannot be satisfied as the frailty of Doreen broke the chain of causation.

Oscar is not guilty of murder, despite the fact that the actus reus can be established, he did not have the mens rea that is required for it.

Oscar is not guilty of murder, despite the fact that the actus reus can be established, he intended to hurt Kieran and not Doreen.

. Eve stabbed Arnie several times after an argument. Arnie survived for a year and a half with life support machines and treatment. His family agreed with doctors that the life support machines could be switched of as it was very unlikely he would recover. When he died what is the most accurate statement that reflects Eve's criminal liability?

Eve cannot be guilty of Arnie's murder because he died after a year and a day.

Eve is guilty of Arnie's murder because s. 1 The Law Reform (Year and a Day Rule) Act 1996 abolished the rule that the victim must die within a year and a day of the defendant's act.

Eve cannot be guilty of Arnie's murder because he died as a result of life support treatment being removed from him.

Eve is guilty of Arnie's murder because s. 2 Homicide Act 1957 abolishes the rule that the victim must die within a year and a day of the defendant's act.

Eve is guilty of Arnie's murder because s. 3 Homicide Act 1957 abolishes the rule that the victim must die within a year and a day of the defendant's act.

. Dr Gill has a patient Eloise who is suffering from terminal cancer. The pain Eloise is experiencing has increased significantly over recent weeks and Dr Gill has taken the decision to increase the amount of pain-relieving drugs she receives. Dr Gill knows that these drugs will also shorten Eloise's life, but believes the alleviation of pain is proper and necessary. Upon Eloise's death, consider which statement most accurately reflects the criminal liability of Dr Gill for her murder.

Dr Gill will be guilty of murder as both the actus reus and mens rea of murder is satisfied.

Dr Gill will not be guilty of murder, because she does not have the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

Dr Gill will be guilty of gross negligence manslaughter, because she has intentionally shortened Eloise's life.

Dr Gill will not be guilty of a homicide offence, because she lawfully administered pain-killing drugs to Eloise.

Dr Gill will be guilty of a homicide offence, because she unlawfully administered pain-killing drugs to Eloise.

. Peter was angry at Shellie, who had just told him that she was pregnant with his child. He did not want to become a father and had been planning to break up with Shellie. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer and stabbed Shellie is her womb several times. Shellie survived, but she miscarried. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects Peter's liability for the death of the foetus?

Peter will be liable for murder as he intended to stop a child being born.

Peter will not be liable for murder against the foetus, because he is the potential father and has a right to end the pregnancy.

Peter will be liable for murder, because the foetus is a person for the purpose of criminal law.

Peter will be liable for the attempted murder of the unborn child, because he ended the pregnancy prematurely.

Peter will not be liable for murder against the foetus, because in law the foetus is not a person, which is a requirement for the actus reus of murder.

. Janine is jealous of Beyonce, because her husband has fallen in love with Beyonce. Wanting to have her husband to herself, Janine runs Beyonce over and drives over her body a couple of times, hoping to kill her. Beyonce received excellent medical treatment and her family desperately wishes to keep her alive. They have received the diagnosis from the doctors that Beyonce is in a profound and permanent coma. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects Janine's criminal liability for Beyonce's injuries?

Janine can be liable for the unlawful act manslaughter of Beyonce.

Janine can be liable for the manslaughter by reason of loss of control of Beyonce.

Janine will be liable for the attempted murder of Beyonce.

Janine will be liable for gross negligence manslaughter of Beyonce.

Janine will be liable for the murder of Beyonce.

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