A man who went by the name "Grand Master of the Universe," or "GMU" for short, claimed that he had trained himself over many years to be "linked in to cosmic consciousness." He said that he was able to use his "mind over matter" powers to perform such acts as lying on nails without bleeding and inserting knives into other people without harming them. His group of followers claimed that they had witnessed him do such acts on several occasions. Lionel, a newcomer to the group, gave permission to GMU to perform the knife insertion act on him. Shortly after GMU inserted the knives, Lionel bled to death.

GMU was charged with second degree murder which is defined as: "killing a human being under reckless conditions that evidence an extreme indifference to human life." GMU's attorney is trying to get the prosecutor to offer a lesser charge, to which GMU is prepared to plead. GMU's attorney said that GMU admits he was negligent and is prepared to plead to Involuntary Manslaughter which is defined as "the crime of killing a human being unlawfully but unintentionally." 

Thoroughly analyze the mens rea required by both second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, describing if either or both are strict liability crimes, and if they are specific intent or general intent. Then discuss in detail GMU's mens rea and how it does or does not fit what is required under each of those laws. Make references to course material.

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Mens rea refers to the mental state or intent that must be present in a persons mind when committing a crime In the case of both seconddegree murder and involuntary manslaughter mens rea plays a cruci... View the full answer