Just had a random thought

Soldato
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If you assaulted someone or something, and they refused basic medical treatment that would have saved them and they died as a result (ie. from an infection) - would it still be murder/manslaughter?
 
Well either way they would have died due to your assault. Would it still not be manslaughter because you injured them to hurt them not kill them.

Less random thoughts for you methinks!
 
Well either way they would have died due to your assault. Would it still not be manslaughter because you injured them to hurt them not kill them.

Less random thoughts for you methinks!

:p But i mean if you like... rear ended someone in your car and they had a ruptured spleen, but refused basic surgery and a blood transfusion.

Good question

I suggest you run away

They'll never take me alive!! ;)
 
Yes it absolutely is murder/manslaughter. As long as it's (I forget the actual wording) a leading cause of their death. Even if it's infection - as long as it's not too remote a cause.

Eg. Jehova's witnesses refusing blood transfusions after being stabbed or somesuch. Still responsible.
 
I think it all depends on the circumstances, if you had intended to maliciously wound someone who would have survived if they accepted medical treatment you would be done for manslaughter, rather than attempted murder.

I wouldn't have a clue what the courts would decide if there wasn't intent and the cause of death was a relatively minor accident, say you knocked someone over in your car at 5mph, they broke their leg which resulted in a pierced artery but refused treatment I would find it very hard to find you of being guilty of anything.
 
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Yes it absolutely is murder/manslaughter. As long as it's (I forget the actual wording) a leading cause of their death. Even if it's infection - as long as it's not too remote a cause.

Eg. Jehova's witnesses refusing blood transfusions after being stabbed or somesuch. Still responsible.

Yeah, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/18/jehovahs-witness-dies-refuse-blood-transfusion

This is what got me thinking. I was just wondering if the person who caused the crash would face harsher penalties due to the fact that there was a death albeit, one that could have been avoided.
 
Take your victim as you find them... Thin skull rule etc.

If you stab someone and they refuse treatment for religious reasons etc. it's murder.
 
If you slashed someone's arm and they died from an infection four weeks down the line, it's still murder as it could be reasonably expected that they could die from their injuries.
 
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