Doc Alan, as I said in the case I investigated, I was instructed that in Law when a person dies of natural causes, a heart attack, this does amount to justification for a criminal charge. If however, an otherwise healthy person were subjected to such stress that they suffered a heart attack, the facts in that case might be judged to be different from the case I investigated, and this case.
I think you may agree that a person who, due to life style or general level of health, may be liable to suffer a heart attack, may do so at almost any time. If that happens to occur at a time when they are subject to any stress, it would be difficult for a pathologist to establish that the incident was the cause of the heart attack, and thus the death.
Quote: The second forensic pathologist, who is well respected, described injuries sufficient to support a charge of ABH (actual bodily harm), consistent with a baton strike (whether or not there was also a heart attack). I rest my case.
I do not know if you are in possession of all the facts regarding what actually happened 'consist with a baton strike' would also be consistent with a blow from almost any blunt instrument. To justify a criminal charge, it would be necessary to prove what actually happened, and that that amounted to a criminal offnce.
Without being in possession of all the facts. I, nor probably any legally trained person, would be tempted to explain why a charge was, or was not brought in any case.
Originally Posted by johncar54
