Reference no: EM133260059
A group of young men, Karl, Chris, JT, JC and Lance are hanging around a shopping centre being a nuisance. A member of the group, Karl, stops a passerby, Peter, and demands he hand over his wallet. The group begin to slowly start spreading out behind Karl, but do nothing other than smile and watch, except for JC who pulls out his mobile phone and starts filming the robbery, hoping to share the video with his friends. Peter hands over his wallet and runs away.
Later that afternoon, Peter and his friends AJ, Howie, Jonas and Brian are drinking in a bar when Karl and his crew walk in.
Heated words are exchanged between Peter and Karl and Peter challenges Karl to a fight 'man on man', first man to tap out loses. Karl agrees and both groups head outside. On their way outside, Peter's friend Jonas slides up to him and whispers "no sweat bro, I brought my knife, if things go South, I've got your back."
Outside, JT says to Karl "this ain't my type of thing man, I'm out of here" and he walks away across the parking lot. The groups form a circle and Peter and Karl start fighting to the cheers and encouragement from their friends.
Karl, who is bigger and stronger than Peter, quickly gains the upper hand. Before anybody can react, Jonas pulls out a gun and shoots Karl in the head. Karl dies at the scene. Peter is treated for injuries consistent with actual bodily harm.
Police round up and arrest both groups. Jonas is charged with murder.
- Analyse the liability and mode of participation of Chris, JT, JC and Lance in the robbery of Peter.
- Can Peter be held liable for murder? Why? Why not?
- Can AJ, Howie or Brian be held liable for murder? Explain.