Case Study : Criminal Law 2017 - Law Assignment

Case Study :

Michael lives in an inner city neighbourhood at the end of a long street. Michael’s neighbours are Jennifer and Steve, who have a 14-year-old son named Alex. Michael grows a small crop of cannabis at the back of his property, which he sells to people in the neighbourhood. Jennifer and Steve are aware of Michael’s ‘business’ and have – on occasion – referred friends to Michael to buy cannabis. One day, loud banging at his front door wakes Michael. He opens the door to find Jennifer, looking furious. “You sold weed to Alex!?” she yells: “how could you!?” Michael tries his best to apologise to Jennifer, but she continues: “If you go near my kid again, I’ll fucking kill you!” slamming the door in Michael’s face. Over the following days, Michael becomes increasingly paranoid and concerned. In particular, he is worried Jennifer may go to the police and tell them about his cannabis crop. A week prior, Michael had lent his laptop to Steve as his computer was being repaired. Michael is concerned the laptop contains evidence of his drug deals and wants to get it back. He calls Steve on his mobile and asks him to return the laptop. Steve angrily replies: “after what you did, I think it’s fair compensation!” Michael is furious. He grabs a large knife from his kitchen and begins running toward Steve and Jennifer’s house with a menacing look. Alex is on his bike outside his house and sees Michael running towards the house with a knife. Fearing the worst, Alex quickly runs around to the side of his house to his Dad’s shed and grabs his father’s rifle. Alex makes it back to the front of the house, right when Michael is at the front doorstep and Jennifer has just opened the door. Alex yells “Hey!”, Michael turns to face him and Alex pulls the trigger. Michael is killed instantly. A bullet ricochets and hits Jennifer in the arm seriously wounding her.