Question

Part 1: David’s Case

David was a gardener with a reputation for being a very passive and mild mannered person. Over a very short
period of time his behaviour changed markedly. He became very bad tempered and lashed out at family mem-
bers, something they describe as being completely out of character for him. While working at a client’s house
he got into an argument with her and beat her to death. The prosecution argued that he had lost his temper
and murdered her in a fit of rage. The jury believed the prosecution and he was sentenced to life in prison.
Discussion Questions:
• Based on your review of David’s case, what assumptions did you make about his behaviour?
• Do you think David was responsible for his crime?
• How significant is it that David was reported to be acting “out of character” in the days immediately prior to
the murder? What other factors may be at play?
Summarize your answers to the questions and include them in your short essay

Answer 1

Based on David's case, it is possible to assume that he had undergone a significant change in his behavior, as he went from being a passive and mild-mannered person to someone with a bad temper who lashed out at family members. This change in behavior could be due to a variety of factors, such as stress, mental health issues, or substance abuse.

Regarding David's responsibility for his crime, it is difficult to say. The prosecution argued that he had lost his temper and murdered the client in a fit of rage, but there may be other factors at play, such as mental illness or diminished capacity.

The fact that David was reported to be acting "out of character" in the days leading up to the murder is significant, as it suggests that there may be underlying issues that contributed to his behavior. However, it is important to note that this alone does not absolve him of responsibility for his actions.

In conclusion, David's case highlights the complex nature of criminal behavior and the many factors that can contribute to it. While it is important to hold individuals accountable for their actions, it is also important to consider the broader context in which those actions occurred.