Scenario 1
Lori is walking to her car in a shopping mall parking lot at night when Brian suddenly jumps in front of her and points a knife in her face. Brian strikes Lori. Fortunately, Lori took a self-defense class and hits Brian with her knee and fists and while running to safety, falls and hits her head. Lori dies from her injuries. Brian is subsequently arrested and charged with assault, battery, and murder.
Determine whether your home state will prevail in a prosecution against Brian for assault, battery, and murder, and to what degree of murder.
Refer to Find Law’s State Criminal Law webpage to locate the criminal laws in your state.