Donald, who is 15 years old and has a quiet and sensitive temperament, lives with his father, Jim. Jim is a controlling parent with a nasty temper who has subjected Donald to verbal and sometimes physical abuse over many years. This abuse has led to Donald developing depression, for which he is receiving treatment.

Jim is involved in a long-running dispute with his neighbour, Ahmed. After a particularly confrontational interaction between Jim and Ahmed over their boundary fence, Jim gives Donald a clawhammer and tells him that he needs to 'start being a man and teach that neighbour of ours a lesson that he'll never forget, or you can expect to receive the hiding of your life'.

With great trepidation, Donald knocks on Ahmed's home, wielding the clawhammer. When Ahmed sees Donald on the doorstep, he laughs, and mocks Donald, telling him, 'you wouldn't have the balls, you miserable little fairy.' Donald launches suddenly at Ahmed with the clawhammer, raining down multiple blows to Ahmed's head in a frenzied attack. Ahmed dies from his injuries.

 

Advise on Donald's liability for murder. 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

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