Murder

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  • Murder is a common law offence which carries a mandatory life sentence.The definition is 'an unlawful killing of a reasonable person in being in the Queen's peace with malice aforethought' (Lord Coke 1614).

The actus reus of murder:

It has to be proved that the defendant unlawfully killed a reasonable person in being. 

  • Firstly, the killing has to be 'unlawful', as opposed to lawful killing such as killing in self-defence or in war. 
  • 'Killing' can be commited by act or omission where there is a duty, as seen in…

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