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People v. Conley
The elemental approach to mens rea is fully visible in People. v. Conley. The defendant was charged with a form of battery--a classic common law crime. But in evaluating the defendant's guilt, the court cannot rely on a general notion of "wickedness," Instead, the court must (1) figure out the relevant mental state from the statute; and then (2) determine whether the defendant committed the actus reus elements of the crime with the required mental state.
As you read Conley, consider these questions:
1. Statutory interpretation: What statute was Conley charged with violating? What are the elements of that offense?
2. What did Conley do?
3. Conley raises two issues on appeal. What are they? How does the court decide the first issue?
4. How does the Court decide the second issue? Why? Did Conley intend to cause injury to O’Connell? If not, then how could he be convicted? What was the evidence that Conley intended to cause injury to Carroll?
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