R v David John IBY [2005] NSWCCA 178

Reported Decision : 154 A Crim R 55 63 NSWLR 278

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION: R v David John IBY [2005] NSWCCA 178

HEARING DATE(S): 9 March 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 9 May 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Spigelman CJ at 1; Grove J at 80; Bell J at 81

DECISION: Appeal dismissed

CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW - MANSLAUGHTER - born alive rule - meaning of words "born alive" - whether baby breathing with assistance of ventilator is 'alive' - whether the existence of a heartbeat is sufficient for baby to be born alive - whether evidence of brain function is necessary for baby to be born alive - whether statutory definition of 'death' in s33 of the Human Tissue Act is relevant to definition of life for purposes of born alive rule.

Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Death (Definition) Act 1983 (SA) Human Tissue Act 1983 (NSW) s33 Human Tissue Act 1985 (Tas) LEGISLATION CITED: Human Tissues Act 1982 (Vic) Human Tissues Transplant Act 1979 (NT) Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979 (Qld) Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1978 (ACT)

Ansett Australia v Dale (2001) 22 NSWCCR 527; [2001] NSWCA 314 Attorney General (NSW) v Perpetual Trustee Co Limited (1952) 85 CLR 237 Brock v Kellock (1861) LJ 30 Ch 498; 3 Giff. 58 C v S (1988) QB 135 Commonwealth v Cass 467 NE 2d 1324 (Mass, 1984) Esso Australia Resources Australia Limited v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1999) 201 CLR 49; [1999] HCA 67 Hughes v State, 868 P2d 730 (1994) John Pfeiffer Pty Ltd v Rogerson (2000) 203 CLR 503; [2000] HCA 36 Keeler v Supreme Court of Amador County, 2 Cal.3d 629 (1970) Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corp (1997) 189 CLR 520; [1997] HCA 25 People v Chavez, 77 Cal.App.2d 62 (1947) People v Greer, 402 NE.2d 203 (Ill, 1980) People v Guthrie, 273 N.W.2d 775 (Mich, 1980) People v Hall, 158 A.D.2d 69 (NY, 1990) R v Boulton (1833) 5 Car & P 537; 172 ER 1088 CASES CITED: R v Brain (1834) 6 Car & P 349; 172 ER 1272 R v Enoch (1933) 5 Car & P 539; 172 ER 1089 R v F (1996) 40 NSWLR 245 R v Handley (1875) 13 Cox CC 79 R v Hutty [1953] VLR 338 R v McDonald (unreported, 4 March 1999, Crown Court of Northern Ireland) R v Poulton (1832) 5 CAR & P 329; 172 ER 997 R v Pritchard (1901) 17 TLR 310 R v Sims (1601) Goulds 174; 75 ER 1075 R v Trilloe (1842) Car & M 650; 174 ER 674 R v West (1848) 2 Cox CC 500; 2 Car & Kir 784; 175 ER 329 R v Wright (1841) 9 Car & P 754; 173 ER 1039 Rance v Mid Downs Health Authority (1991) 1 QB 587 Singelton v State, So.2d 375 (Ala, 1948) State v Horne, 319 S.E.2d 703 (SC, 1984) Wisconsin v Cornelius, 448 N.W.2d 434 (Wis, 1989)