Criminal Law Applicable to This Case

The criminal charges against Noel and Knoller were as follows:

• Against Noel: 
  • Death caused by a mischievous animal
  • Involuntary manslaughter
• Against Knoller:
  • Death caused by a mischievous animal
  • Involuntary manslaughter
  • Second degree murder

Kenneth Phillips’ analysis of these charges is given below. For a general review of the laws forming the basis of these charges, see:

• Death caused by mischievous animal
• Death caused by negligence
• Death as second degree murder