FOCL Practice Test

What legal charge is Cain likely to face after Abel dies two years after being injured?

1. Voluntary manslaughter

2. Murder

3. Involuntary manslaughter

4. Assault

The correct answer is: Murder

The charge that Cain is likely to face after Abel dies from injuries sustained two years prior is murder. This conclusion arises from the nature of murder, which generally involves the unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought, regardless of the time elapsed between the act causing the injury and the resulting death. In this scenario, if it can be established that Abel's death was a direct result of the injuries inflicted by Cain, then Cain could be held liable for murder since the essential element of causation is present. Even though there was a significant time delay between the original assault and the eventual death, the law often holds an offender accountable for the outcome of their actions if the chain of events can clearly be linked. Thus, the long-term consequences of Cain's actions are critical in determining the nature of the legal charge, and in this context, the most appropriate charge is murder, as it encapsulates the intent and the ultimate result of his actions.