Read State v. Ulvinen, 313 N.W.2d 425 (1981).https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=5558442148317816782&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarrLinks to an external site.
In Ulvinen, the defendant sat guard and then helped her son clean up and dispose of evidence after he strangled and dismembered his wife. Thereafter, the defendant was convicted of murder as an accomplice. The defendant was asleep when the killing occurred, but before the killing her son told her that he planned to kill the victim. The defendant reacted with passive acquiescence by demurring and expressing disbelief that he would go through with his plans.
Answer the following questions:
1. Did the Supreme Court of Minnesota uphold the defendant’s murder conviction?
2. Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision?
3. Why or why not?
Answer 1: Yes, the Supreme Court of Minnesota upheld the defendant’s murder conviction.
Answer 2: I agree with the Supreme Court’s decision.
Answer 3: I agree with the Supreme Court’s decision because the defendant’s actions after the murder made her an accomplice. While she did not actively participate in the killing, she helped her son clean up and dispose of evidence. This shows that she was aware of his crime and intended to help him escape justice.
The Supreme Court noted that the defendant’s passive acquiescence to her son’s plans was not enough to absolve her of guilt. She had a duty to prevent the crime, and she failed to do so. Additionally, her actions after the murder showed that she was part of a conspiracy to conceal the crime.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Ulvinen is important because it sets a precedent for holding accomplices accountable for their actions. It also sends a message that those who help criminals escape justice can be punished just as severely as the criminals themselves.
Further Discussion
The case of State v. Ulvinen raises a number of complex ethical and legal questions. One question is whether the defendant had a moral obligation to prevent her son from killing his wife. Another question is whether the defendant’s actions after the murder made her an accomplice to the crime.
On the one hand, it is understandable that the defendant would be reluctant to confront her son about his plans. She may have feared for her own safety or the safety of her other children. She may also have believed that she could not change her son’s mind.
On the other hand, the defendant had a duty to prevent a serious crime from being committed. She could have called the police or reported her son’s plans to another trusted adult. She could also have tried to convince her son to seek help for his anger or other mental health issues.
After the murder, the defendant helped her son clean up and dispose of evidence. This shows that she was aware of his crime and intended to help him escape justice. Her actions after the murder make her more culpable than if she had simply done nothing to prevent the crime.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Ulvinen is controversial, but it is supported by the law. In most jurisdictions, accomplices can be held liable for the crimes of their co-conspirators. This is because accomplices play an important role in the planning and execution of crimes. They also make it more difficult for law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute criminals.
The case of State v. Ulvinen is a reminder that we all have a duty to prevent crime and to report crimes that we know about. We should not hesitate to seek help from the police or other authorities if we believe that someone is in danger.