MELISSA ALLEN Assignment 3
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Assignment 3
Melissa Allen University of Maryland Global
CCJS 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Professor Henry White
April 23, 2022
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Assignment 3
1.
Helena Marcus, 37, was discovered dead in her upper-class Scranton, Pennsylvania residence on February 14, 2020. Her husband, James, 34, survives her. Marcus was both restrained and released, since ligature marks were seen around her wrists, despite no rope detected at the scene. James Marcus is not considered a suspect because he was on business at the time of her death. Helena Marcus was uncovered with her lips sewn closed and her throat slit. The accused is Robyn Witt, 19, of Mt. Cobb, Pennsylvania, who worked as a live-in caregiver for the Marcus' twin children, both of whom are seven years old. Witt's DNA was all over the room where Mrs. Marcus was exposed. When Witt was interrogated, she alleged
that Mrs. Marcus was "interfering" with her romance with James Marcus. Mr. Marcus maintains that there was no affair and that the connection between Ms. Witt and Mr. Marcus was exclusively professional. Witt confesses to the heinous crime, saying, "she [Mrs. Marcus] is the type of woman who would ramble on even after death, so [she] did humanity a service."
Witt is currently under investigation extensively and has been admitted to a psychiatric institution on a temporary contract.
2.
This crime is classified as homicide, and the perpetrator testifies to it, which can either streamline or exacerbate the situation. Individuals in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) display prevalent competence in crime scene investigation and evidence collecting in the criminal justice process from the perspectives of police departments, prosecution, defense, or crime analysis. (Office of Justice Programs) They will do everything necessary to gather all documentation and analyze it in preparation for future
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investigation and prosecution in court. The discovery of Witt's DNA all over the scene of
the criminal investigation, as well as the reality that Witt has thoroughly admitted guilt, are the most likely reasons for this arrest. Witt was charged with premeditated homicide for this murder. A trifecta of specific features that constitute a violent act that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order to acquire a conviction: first, that a crime has occurred (actus reus),
second, that the accused intended the crime to occur (mens rea)
, and tertiary belief of concurrence which indicates that the first two are highly likely. (Montaldo, 2019) In general, a defendant's social standing is not a criminal offense. Influential contributors are who the defendant is rather than what the defendant performs. (University of Minnesota, 2015) This implies that the accused should be investigated thoroughly, and elemental influences should be considered.
3.
The subject matter of the case can also be used to determine jurisdiction. Criminal courts,
for example, hear criminal case matters. State courts have authority over things pertaining
to the state, and federal courts have jurisdiction over topics pertaining to the federal government. The term "jurisdiction" is most usually used to refer to the geographical regions under the government's authority. (Rutz-Burri) Because the offender is a permanent resident where the crime was committed, she will be prosecuted there. Witt is
unlikely to attempt an appeal because she confesses to homicide. The preponderance of criminal appeals involve individuals who were found guilty at trial. Before a criminal case is tried, the administration may challenge a pretrial ruling made by a court, such as a
decision to suppress evidence collected during a police search. (Rutz-Burri) There are components that must be present in order to convict. Prosecutors must produce substantial evidence to persuade the judge that there is probable cause to hold the
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defendant culpable for the crimes specified in the accusation. (Montaldo, 2019) If the judge finds probable cause, the prosecutor files an information, and the matter goes to trial.
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References:
Montaldo, C. (2019, February 23). The Three Different Elements of a Crime
. ThoughtCo. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/elements-of-a-crime-971562 Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement
. Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Retrieved April 23, 2022, from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/178280.pdf Rutz-Burri, L. (n.d.). 7.2. Jurisdiction
. SOUCCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/ccj230/chapter/7-2-jurisdiction/ Rutz-Burri, L. (n.d.). 7.6. The Appeals Process, Standard of Review, and Appellate Decisions
. SOUCCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/ccj230/chapter/7-6-appellate-courts-the-
appellate-function-and-the-standard-of-review/ University of Minnesota. (2015, December 17). 4.1 Criminal Elements
. Criminal Law. Retrieved
April 20, 2022, from https://open.lib.umn.edu/criminallaw/chapter/4-1-criminal-elements/