IL v The QueenCitation:[2017] HCA 27Before:Kiefel CJ, Bell, Gageler, Keane, Nettle, Gordon, Edelman JJDate:09 Aug 2017Case Number:S270/2016Read more

IL v The QueenCitation:[2017] HCA 27Before:Kiefel CJ, Bell, Gageler, Keane, Nettle, Gordon, Edelman JJDate:09 Aug 2017Case Number:S270/2016Read more

The act of the deceased causing his own death cannot be attributed to the appellant under joint criminal enterprise liability, and s 18(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) does not encompass self-killing.

Parties
Appellant: Appellant; Respondent: Crown
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
09 August 2017
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Murder, Manslaughter, Joint Criminal Enterprise, Attribution of Acts, Suicide

Case Brief

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Parties

Appellant

Appellant

Crown

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether s 18(1) of Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) encompasses self-killing
  2. 2 Whether acts or liability for actus reus of crimes committed in course of joint criminal enterprise attributed to co-participant
  3. 3 Whether act of deceased causing death attributable to appellant

Ratio Decidendi

The act of the deceased causing his own death cannot be attributed to the appellant under joint criminal enterprise liability, and s 18(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) does not encompass self-killing.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Conviction quashed
  • Appellant acquitted