Why Are The Defendants Smith And Jones Guilty Of Murder

Based on the facts provided and my personal interpretation, I would find defendants Smith and Jones guilty of murder. Smith and Jones came up with the idea that one of the four should be sacrificed to save the other three. They decided that Cabin Boy should be the one. Smith and Jones took action, killing Cabin Boy by cutting his throat, and then eating his body so they would have food to survive. I think God is the only person who should decide who lives, dies, and when. No individual should be permitted to take another’s life unless it is self-defense. This case was clearly not self-defense. Although all four on the lifeboat likely wouldn’t have made it, there is no justification for killing someone for the benefit of the other three. There

Everyone has an equal right to live, no one except God can decide that someone's life should be taken unless, of course, someone is defending themselves. While researching, I found this case to be very interesting. My research led me to learn that the actual case is Regina v. Dudley and Stephens, 14 Q.B.D. 273 (1884). The facts provided for this case from the assignment post have some differences from the facts in the actual case, but I will try and identify the differences. According to the National Archives, “On the Record Trials” Series 5, Episode 2, Trials: Murder on the High Seas and Trial by Jury (a podcast), this was one of the most famous trials of the late 19th century. This case determined whether or not Smith and Jones needing food was a valid defense for murder. It was found that this was not a valid defense and the defendants were found guilty. During this time period, criminal cases were tried by a jury, but this case was unique, in that the case was taken from the jury and handed to a judge. It wasn’t just handed to a judge, it was handed to a panel of judges. The actual defendants were Dudley and Stephens, not Smith and