1) Michelle needed money to pay her rent. She is behind 3 months in rent and fears being evicted. She decides to rob Capital One Bank. Michelle asks her roommate Cheryl to help her. They agree to split the money 60% Michelle and 40% for Cheryl. This was based on the fact that Cheryl was going to only purchase the items necessary to commit the crime, like the gun and ski mask, and agreed to be the lookout at the bank. Cheryl purchased a gun and ski mask early in the week. Midweek, she stopped into the local pub for a few drinks. She began telling the bartender about her plan to get money. The bartender said nothing. Later that week, before the robbery was to take place, Michelle and Cheryl went to get their nails done. While at the nail salon, they were arrested. As the prosecutor, with what crimes can you charge Michelle and Cheryl? Do their actions constitute the crime of attempt? Discuss why or why not. Use legal reasoning to support your response.
2) April and Troy have been unhappily married for years. April wanted a divorce, but Troy feared April would get too much of his money and the marital home. He decided it was best to kill her. He decided to poison her. He went to CVS and inquired of the pharmacist about needing a sleep aid for his insomnia. The pharmacist gave him a bottle of sleeping pills. Troy believed if he gave April several pills in her tea, she would die peacefully in her sleep. She drank the tea, but nothing happened but for a little drowsiness. Troy is charged with attempted murder. Will Troy be found guilty of attempted murder? Discuss why or why not. Use legal reasoning to support your response.
3) Please share any similar cases that you found. How did conducting research and going through each step of legal analysis help you to reach this conclusion? Analyze how you applied critical thinking and legal analytical skills to assist you in this regard. What new research and/or analytical tool or method did you try for the first time this week? What do you think you do well and what would you like to strengthen so that you continue to improve?
4) Collaborate with each other as the week goes on to make all aspects of this Discussion as robust as possible.