Should the Partial Defence of Provocation Be Available to Those Accused of Murder?
In the light of the verdict of James Ramage, who was found guilty of manslaughter, there has been much debate about the defence of provocation. Mr Ramage had strangled his estranged wife, Julie, claiming that he was provoked by her taunts about his repulsiveness and news of her new lover. Through the defence of provocation, Mr Ramage successfully had his charge reduced to manslaughter instead of murder. Subsequently, there has been a public outcry to abolish the laws of partial defence of provocation. Under the law, provocation is a partial defence which reduces murder to manslaughter. This defence may arise in certain homicide cases where the accused proves that he or she did not intend to kill, but that the act arose from provocation by the victim. However, I firmly believe that this defence is no longer relevant in our society today and it ought to be abolished. Like many groups campaigning for female equality before the law and opponents of the defence of provocation, I am convince
