In R v McKechnie (1991), what ultimately caused the victim's death?

In R v McKechnie (1991), the victim's death was ultimately attributed to an untreated ulcer. This case highlights the legal principle concerning causation in issues of homicide and liability. The decision focused on the relationship between the actions of the defendant and the victim's medical condition.

Although the victim received treatment following an assault, the underlying medical condition—a pre-existing untreated ulcer—was determined to be the direct cause of death. The court established that the defendant's actions, while contributing to the circumstances, were not the primary cause of the fatal outcome. Hence, it was found that had the victim’s medical condition been managed appropriately, he may not have died from the ulcer, which underscores the importance of proper medical care and the impact of pre-existing health issues on legal findings in similar cases.

This case illustrates the complexity of establishing causation in criminal law, especially in instances where multiple factors contribute to a victim’s demise. The ruling made it clear that the legal responsibility does not solely rest on the actions of the defendant when pre-existing conditions are involved, emphasizing the need to consider all contributing factors, including medical treatment.