R v Pfitzner

The appeal was against a conviction for manslaughter, the result of a stabbing death of the appellant's adoptive mother. The appellant was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter. The appeal was on the basis that statements made by the appellant during interviews with police should not have been admitted, and that the jury was not properly directed on the elements of manslaughter. The Full Court allowed the appeal against conviction, set aside the conviction and ordered a retrial. The Court held that the evidence of the interviews should not have been admitted because of the appellant's mental condition at the time of the interviews, but that it was not unfair to admit it. The Court also held that the jury should have been directed that the act must be dangerous, carrying with it an appreciable risk of serious injury. The Full Court was divided on whether the direction on manslaughter was erroneous, but inclined to think that the omission was not so "radical or fundamental" as to cause a substantial miscarriage of justice.