R v Hayward

Facts

Hayward chased his wife into the street. She fell. He kicked her arm. She died. She had a thyroid condition. The medical evidence was that a person in that condition can die from fright, strong emotion and physical exertion together.

Issue

Is he responsible if her condition made a minor attack fatal?

Held

He was guilty of manslaughter. He had to take his victim as he found her.

Principle

A physical weakness unknown to the accused does not reduce the causal effect of his attack.

Why it matters

Blaue extends the same rule from the body to the beliefs.

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