David’s case involves a sudden change of character resulting in a murder. David was
generally known for being an easy-going gardener who suddenly began showing signs of
aggression and irritability. This later evolved to him brutally beating and killing a client during
an argument that the prosecution argued was due to a fit of rage. This case is difficult due to the
fact that David had not previously shown signs of such aggression until a short time before the
murder and such behaviour was developed quickly during a short span of time. The details of the
case leans towards the naturist argument, this would be due to the fact that some event must have
taken place to alter David’s personality negatively and lead to murder (Sacco, 2021).
Based on the outline of David’s case, the obvious assumption that can be made about his
behaviour is that details are missing behind what could have caused an abnormal effect on his
otherwise mild personality. Another assumption that can be made about David’s behaviour is
that there can be some degree of mental or neurological issues associated with David’s behaviour
as is mentioned in modern biological theories of crime (Sacco, 2021). Due to the sudden change
in behaviour seen in David, the responsibility for the crime does not seem to be his due to the
fact that he seems to have suffered from something that brought about such a reaction that was
otherwise not in his demeanour. It is very significant that David’s behaviour was described as
abnormal for him because it shows signs that there had to be some sort of extreme event or
change in his life or to his body that caused such conduct.
Based on the evidence provided by the defence in David’s case, he does not seem to be
morally responsible for his anger or the murder he committed due to it because he had been
exposed to substances affecting the neurological communications in his brain (Sacco, 2021).
According to neurological theories, head injuries caused by physical or even chemical damage
can lead to criminal behaviour (Sacco, 2021). Some possible environmental influences that may
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller rosaleeotaki. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $12.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.