The defendant appealed conviction for assisting suicide and murder. The offences took place whilst he had been in custody in a prison for vulnerable prisoners. The three offences were so similar that they were tried together, involving the defendant being present when the other prisoner hanged himself. He questioned the judge’s directions as to the intent required to be shown, and the way he had dealt with questions from the jury.
Held: By giving the straightforward direction on intention, the judge was directing the jury to the real question they had to determine, and steering them away from the chameleon-like concepts of purpose, foresight of consequence, and awareness of risk. Appeal dismissed
Judges:
Lord Justice Beldam Mr Justice Silber And The Recorder Of Leeds
Citations:
[2000] EWCA Crim 28
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Crime
Updated: 21 July 2022; Ref: scu.158678