Mayes v. The People

1883

Court: Supreme Court of Illinois

Facts: Domestic strife leads to throwing of beer glass at wife carrying oil lamp. She is killed by the ensuing fire.

Posture: Appealed after conviction for murder.

Issue: Do the facts constitute murder?

Holding: Yes. Affirmed.

Rule: It doesn't matter whether the defendant intnded to strike his wife with the beer glass: he was engaging in conduct that was obviously likely to cause this sort of result, so he is responsible for the consequences.

Reasoning: Note that malice is implied here. Transferred intent. If the act is a dangerous act, the defendant accepts the risk of danger.

Dicta: