If you direct someone into a room with a lion in it and they get eaten, is that technically murder?

Question

Let's say someone's just walking around and asks you for directions and you say, "I'm not sure, but I think you can ask in there," and point to a room with a lion inside, they go in and get mauled... is that murder? What if you were only half certain a lion was inside?

or what if it was a completely honest mistake?

Answer 1

not your fault they can't defend themselves for a lion attack...  

Answer 2

If it was a mistake, I'm sure there would be only slight consequences, if any. But even if you thought there might be, that's manslaughter under the law.

Answer 3

It can be second degree murder if you knew that there was a lion in there that would eat the person. The lack of warning the guy, was atleast reckless if not intentional.

I read a case in my criminal law class where a guy was drunk and suicidal and this other guy gave him a gun fully knowing that he would kill himself provided he had the means to do it, and sure enough the guy killed himself. The guy who gave him the gun was charged with second degree murder. I don't remember the outcome of the case though.

At the least, the guy would be negligent, or reckless if he knew there was a danger and didn't warn the person of the lion. That "half certain" part would have to be argued at trial. Unless the person knew that the other guy would have imminent death, he probably wouldn't be able to be charged with murder in the first degree, but there would probably definitely be a case for second degree murder, manslaughter, or negligent homicide.

Answer 4

I dont think so it was a mistake, epically if it was a complete stranger. but people do get in trouble for killing people in car accidents, i dont think it will be considered murder

Answer 5

If you knew the lion was in there then yes you would be held responsible. If you had no knowledge of the lion then no.

Answer 6

If you knowingly commit an act that leads to the death of another individual it is Murder. So if you knew the lion was in there, then yes.

Answer 7

Only if you knew without a doubt the lion was in there.  

Answer 8

Technically, the lion would be the murderer.

You'd be considered an accomplice, maybe.

Answer 9

I think that would be like second degree reckless homicide...

class D felony

As long as you can keep your mouth closed the prosecutor can never get you to talk.

Answer 10

If you knew or suspected the lion was there, it's homicide.

If you didn't know, it's just an error.

Answer 11

If the lion eats them, who is going to tell?

Answer 12

not if the person didnt know the lion was there

Answer 13

You know my mother in law then.

Answer 14

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

i think if you wanted the person dead and sent them to the room with the intention of the lion eating him then yes. its murder. if you had no intention of doing so and didn't know the lion would do anything. its an accident and you should go in the room after him.