(St. Vincent and the Grenadines) The appellant had been convicted of murder. The victim had died but partly as a result of the surgery to save him. The judge correctly directed the jury that they must be sure the original wound was a continuing, operative and substantial cause of death. The judge discharged one juror late in the trial because she wanted to go on holiday. This was not a proper reason, and the effect was potentially to deprive either party of a proper verdict. The conviction must be quashed.
Judges:
Lord Hoffmann, Sir Patrick Russell, Sir Christopher Staughton, Sir Andrew Leggatt, Sir Philip Otton
Citations:
No 47 of 2000, [2001] UKPC 35
Links:
Criminal Practice, Commonwealth
Updated: 01 June 2022; Ref: scu.159475
