R V WHITE [1910]

Why R v White is Important

R v White illustrates circumstances where the defendant’s conduct has been successfully overtaken by an unrelated cause of death, breaking the chain of causation. In the case, the defendant was found not guilty due to a break in the chain of causation.

Facts

White placed poison in his mother’s drink intending this would kill her. She drank some of the drink, but before the poison could take effect the victim died of an unelated heart attack.

Conviction at Issue

The defendant was convicted of attempted…