NSW Assault without intent to kill and person dies

[kim8hughes]

If I hit someone without intending to kill, they fall and hit their head on a coffee table, can this be murder or manslaughter?

 

[Tim W]

Either, depending on the circumstances.
Separately to manslaughter, recklessness as to consequences of an act can be enough to satisfy the mens rea element of murder.
Just as somebody dying in the course of you committing a (so to speak) lesser offence can end up as murder.

 

[kim8hughes]

If I hit someone without intending to kill, they fall and hit their head on a coffee table, can this be murder or manslaughter?

Thanks appreciate that clarification