CAPE Law Unit 1 · 2012 · Paper 2 · Question 6(a)

Alf shot Ben while intending to shoot Con during a quarrel. Ben needed emergency surgery, was delayed due to hospital staff protesting, and during routine surgery bled profusely due to haemophilia, suffered a heart attack, and died. At Alf's murder trial, his lawyer raises two defences.

Discuss whether Alf's lawyer is likely to succeed with the argument that Alf did not intend to shoot Ben, but acted in self-defence against Con who had attacked him. Refer to decided cases and give reasons.