State v. Snowden (1957) Question 1

The court defines the term “willful” as a calculated desire to kill. The term “deliberate” is defined as express or implied intent or purpose to kill. The term “premeditated” means that the defendant actually planned to kill the victim. In other words, the court is convinced that the defendant rationally, purposely, and specifically intended to kill the victim (Leagle). The defendant took steps that led to the victim’s death, thereby evidencing first degree murder.

Question 2

The defendant in the case of State v. Snowden, Raymond Allen Snowden, killed the victim Cora Lucyle Dean by cutting her throat. The murder was preceded by the victim’s request for cab fare from the defendant to go back to Boise. The defendant refused to grant the request as he did not feel he had to pay her fare. An argument ensued, eventually leading to the defendant’s murder of the victim. The defendant deliberately pulled out his pocket knife and cut the defendant’s throat; after which he took the victim’s wallet, rode back to Boise, changed his clothes, dropped the knife into a sewer, discarded the wallet, and placed the attire he had that evening into a trash bin (Leagle). In a calculative fashion, the defendant cut the victim’s throat and made attempts to conceal any evidence that would tie him to the murder. At the time of the murder, the defendant was not intoxicated: he was in his right state of mind, meaning he had the intention to cause death.

Question 3

Statutorily, first degree murder is murder that is committed in a willful, deliberate, and premeditated manner. Based on the facts of the case, it is evident beyond doubt that the defendant committed first degree murder. A common argument is that the word “premeditated” means that there must be sufficient or a reasonable amount of time to plan murder. In other words, it is argued that first degree murder does not just occur instantaneously – it takes time to plan. This is not necessarily true. The truth of the matter is that premeditation can occur a few minutes prior to the actual murder. Preconceiving murder does not require an extended period of time or a substantial time lapse between intent formation and the actual murder. Further proof of first degree...

This makes it clear that the defendant intended to kill. Moreover, the defendant’s actions that followed the murder clearly indicate that he was not intoxicated or mentally disturbed to the extent of causing murder involuntarily. In essence, it can be said without an iota of doubt that Snowden committed first degree murder.
Question 4

Being found guilty of first degree murder may often lead to a death sentence. However, the court must consider a number of aggravating and mitigating circumstances before awarding a death penalty. Generally, such factors often relate to the character, background, and/or history of the defendant (e.g. mental illness, previous criminal record), as well as circumstances surrounding the murder (e.g. rape, robbery, or kidnapping) (Reinhart). The court must prove these circumstances beyond reasonable doubt. Based on the facts of the case, there are no aggravating factors as the defendant did not commit the murder while committing unlawful acts such as arson, burglary, kidnapping, and rape. On this premise, the court may consider a lesser penalty. Moreover, the defendant does not have a previous record of criminal activity. However, the defendant was not extremely mentally or emotionally disturbed at the time of the murder, which somewhat diminishes the appropriateness of considering a lesser penalty.

People v. Thomas (1978)

Question 1

It is crucial to consider the mental element when prosecuting murder cases. Essentially, the mental element denotes the intention to cause death or severe injury. In the case of People v. Thomas, proving the defendant’s mental attitude would require proof that the defendant had the intention to kill or cause severe bodily harm. Two facts are important in this case. First, the defendant took the decedent to a proximate location, took his pants down, tied his hands with a rope, and brutally beat him, causing severe bruises on the decedent’s waist, thighs, and legs. Second, even when the decedent became sick following the beating, the defendant failed to seek any medical care for the decedent, leading to the decedent’s death (Leagle). These two facts sufficiently prove the mental element in this case.

Question 2

As per the…