Jordan and Taylor are involved in a physical altercation. During the fight, Jordan throws a punch that causes Taylor to fall and sustain minor injuries. Later that day, Taylor suffers a heart attack and dies. Taylor had a pre-existing heart condition but had not experienced a heart attack before. Can Jordan be held criminally liable for Taylor's death based on causation principles?
Yes, because any injury leading to death results in criminal liability.
No, because the heart attack was an independent intervening cause.
No, because Taylor's death was ultimately caused by his heart condition.
Yes, Jordan's actions were a substantial factor in causing Taylor's death.
Jordan's actions were a substantial factor in causing Taylor's heart attack, especially considering Taylor's pre-existing heart condition. It is foreseeable that physical trauma or stress from a fight could trigger a heart attack in someone with such a condition. Therefore, Jordan can be held criminally liable for Taylor's death. The existence of a medical condition does not break the causal link if the defendant's actions significantly contributed to the outcome.
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