What aspect of intention did the courts examine in R v. Maloney?

The courts in R v. Maloney primarily examined whether the defendant intended the result of his actions. The case focused on the concept of intention in the context of criminal law and specifically sought to clarify the standard for determining a defendant's mental state at the time of the offense. The court aimed to establish not only whether the defendant had the intention to kill or cause serious injury but also how that intention was manifested through his actions.

The focus on whether the outcome was an expected surprise, whether the act was premeditated, or whether the act was legally justified does not directly address the core issue of intention as it pertains to the mental state of the defendant regarding the result. By determining that intention encompasses the defendant's foresight of the consequences of their actions, the court provided a crucial framework for understanding how intention operates within criminal liability, thus solidifying the answer regarding the defendant's intent behind the result of their actions.