CRIJ 1301: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Criminal Law
Recommendation for Defense Cases
1. Art Kasper and John Gelbor were good friends and coworkers. After work, Art and John went bowling. After
John picked up a spare in the seventh frame, the two got into an argument on proper scoring of a spare. John
punched Art in the face, knocking him to the floor and screaming, “If you don’t shut up, I will kill you.” Art left
the bowling alley but returned with a .38 caliber revolver and shot John in the back, killing him instantly. Art was
charged with murder. What could Art use as a defense?
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2. Kellie Koser attended a college party. One of the partygoers handed her beer. She drank it, although she did not
know that the beer contained a sedative. She got tired quickly and decided to drive home. She fell asleep at the
wheel and killed a bicyclist. She was charged with manslaughter. What could Kellie use as a defense?
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3. Shelly Morrison and Tod Rutlow both drive the same model of pickup truck. Both trucks are black with white
pinstripes; both have red fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror, and both have a bumper sticker with the
slogan “Peace is Possible.” Moreover, both leave their key in the ignition when they park. Shelly, after
completing a long day of Christmas shopping, got into a black truck and drove away. She did not know it was
Todd’s truck. Police quickly apprehended Shelly and charged her with motor vehicle theft.
What would you recommend as a defense?
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4. Charles Shuter was charged with raping his 14 year old daughter. The prosecutor also charged the mother with
conspiracy to commit rape because she knew about the rape and bought condoms for her husband to use when
committing the crime. The mother claims she did not contact the police because the husband threatened to kill
her. What would you recommend as a defense for the mother?
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5. When Marnee Diaz lost her job, she couldn’t keep up with her bills. In order to put food on the table, she began
robbing banks. What would you recommend as her defense?
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6. Carol Smith is addicted to crack but enrolled herself in a drug-treatment program to control her addiction. An
undercover police officer joined the same program to get information about drug suppliers. He got friendly with
Ms. Smith and asked her to buy him some crack. She refused on four occasions. On the fifth occasion, however,
she brought him one rock of crack cocaine. She was arrested for drug possession. What defense would you
recommend? ________________________________________________________________________________
7. Jason Jenser was a heavy drinker. Whenever he drank, he beat his lover Bill. He frequently put a gun to Bill’s
head, threatened to kill him, and caused him numerous physical injuries. Bill wanted to leave, but Jason
threatened him with physical violence, so he stayed. That same evening, while Jason was sleeping, Bill picked up
a shotgun and killed him. What defense would you recommend?
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