PROBLEM Consider the problems of causation involved in the following circumstances. Robinson, convinced of his wife's infidelity, decides to kill three of her supposed lovers, X, Y and Z.

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PROBLEM

Consider the problems of causation involved in the following circumstances. Robinson, convinced of his wife's infidelity, decides to kill three of her supposed lovers, X, Y and Z. Robinson persuades X to take a train to London because he has hired Hitman, a professional assassin, to kill X on arrival. The train crashes en route, killing several passengers, X among them. Meanwhile, Hitman is having troubles of his own. His presence at the railway station has attracted the attention of the police to whom he is well known. Two officers approach him. He strikes one, knocking him onto the railway line and stunning him. Hitman then runs to a nearby car, pulls the driver out and, in order to effect his escape, drives it deliberately at and over the second officer. The first officer dies from injuries sustained by being struck by a train and the second officer dies one year later in hospital having refused a blood transfusion. The driver of the car stolen by Hitman fares little better; he suffers a heart attack, and, despite skilful medical attention, ultimately dies. Robinson administers poison to Y, believing and intending the dose to be fatal. In fact the