Criminal Law the Three Main Research Paper

While Louie, Billy, and Smokey can all be charged with federal crimes in relation to the bank robbery, Billy can also be charged with the murdered of his estranged wife. In the case of his murdered wife, the state would be responsible for pressing charges for that crime because the murder was completely separate from the bank robbery. Just because it happened on the same day as the robbery, there is no connection between the two crimes.

When Louie and Billy were arrested at the home of Smokey, the fact that they had the stolen money, and probably left behind evidence at the crime scene, it would be difficult to plan an effective defense against the bank robbery charges. When the two innocent people were killed during that robbery, the law is clear that any deaths occurring committed during the commission of a crime, are considered as murder and eligible for the death penalty. Even if Billy was not present during the death of the bank teller, and Louie was not driving the car, they are both responsible for both deaths. It is also the case that the accidental death of the police office can be charged against both Billy and Louie since his death occurred as a direct result of their criminal activity.

If there is anyone who may be able to plan an effective defense it is Smokey. He can separate himself from the actions of the others by claiming that he did not know the source of the money. While he may be found guilty of money laundering, if the others only planned to launder money with Smokey, and did not mention anything about where the money came from, then he may not be liable for the crimes committed during the bank robbery. And since he had no plans to give aid to the criminals after fleeing the robbery, he can claim that after the robbery went bad, the others commandeered his home against his will.

So while Vinnie is dead and cannot be charged with any crime, both Billy and Louie can be charged with bank robbery, murder, burglary, and theft in connection to the bank robbery. Billy can also be charged with the murder of his wife, but probably by the state. And as for Smokey, he can definitely be charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, but may be able to distance himself from a connection to the bank robbery and events afterward.

References

Abrams, Norman. (1989). "The New Ancillary Offenses." Criminal Law Forum. 1(1), 1-

39. Print.

Carper, Donald, John McKinsey, Bill West. (2011). "Understanding the Law." Mason:

Ohio. South-Western. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=x0IcppkdabEC&pg=PA230&dq=parties+to+a+crime&hl=en&ei=4SKBTpXkAarm0QGrm-Fy&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAw%20//%20v=onepage&q=parties%20to%20a%20crime&f=false

States Department of Justice Homepage. Retrieved from

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