http://equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2006-01-13 10:27 am
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Forensics (5th Period)

"Good afternoon, everyone. Please take your seats and have a look at the handouts I'm passing around."



As a general rule, any death due to injuries received in a fight, argument, quarrel, assault, or commission of a crime is counted as a Homicide.

Suicides, accidental deaths, assaults to murder, traffic fatalities, and attempted murders are not classified as murder; however, some accidental deaths are counted as a manslaughter by negligence.

Situations where a victim dies of a heart attack as the result of a robbery or witnessing a crime do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the criminal homicide classification. A heart attack cannot, in fact, be caused at will by an offender. Even in instances where an individual is known to have a weak heart, there is no assurance whatever that an offender can cause sufficient emotional or physical stress to guarantee the victim will suffer a fatal heart attack.

Certain willful killings are classified as justifiable or excusable. Justifiable homicide is defined as and limited to:

* the killing of a felon by a peace officer in the line of duty, or
* the killing (during the commission of a felony) of a felon by a private citizen.

Discussion: Do you think the definition of justifiable homicide is too restricted? Should revenge or retribution be permitted for atrocities committed?

Homework: Look up a recent murder trial and give me a brief synopsis.

Re: Discussion

[identity profile] maias-notebook.livejournal.com 2006-01-13 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"For instance a victim of years of abuse, Domestic or otherwise. Well what if the person was not being attacked at the moment they kill them, but had been a victim for years of that person's violent behavior? Would it only be justified if the person was being violent at the time they killed them?." Maia looked thoughtful now "I think it should be taken on a case to case basis and not bunched together under an umbrella term maybe..." Maia looked deep in thought as she was contemplating all of this.

Re: Discussion

[identity profile] lovelylana.livejournal.com 2006-01-13 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's one I definitely go back and forth on. Long term abuse does terrible things to a person in many, many ways, and yeah, if they thought the person was going to hurt them again I can see where they might kill them before the hurting actually happened that time.

On the other hand... there are so many other ways and options to get help or to get out. And I understand the whole psychology of someone who's being abused not feeling there's another way out, but still... I still don't know that I think it's justified homicide to kill someone in cold blood."

Re: Discussion

[identity profile] maias-notebook.livejournal.com 2006-01-13 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh gosh no, not in cold blood." Maia shook her head. "Things I've see- no never in cold blood." Maia interupted herself to agree with Lana.