Brief Fact Summary. The Defendant, McCloskey (Defendant), took steps toward escaping from prison, but before actually exiting the prison, he changed his mind and returned to his work assignment.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. Voluntarily abandoning a crime before completion exonerates a defendant from criminal responsibility.
So long as the acts are confined to preparation only, and can be abandoned before any transgression of the law or of others rights, they are within the sphere of intent and do not amount to attempts.
View Full Point of LawIssue. Does the Defendant’s conduct evidence a complete and voluntary abandonment of the crime of attempted escape?
Held. Yes. The Defendant scaled a fence within the prison walls, but he only went so far as the yard before giving up on his plan to escape. Therefore, the Defendant was still only contemplating an escape and not yet attempting the act. The Defendant voluntarily abandoned the crime of attempted prison breach, which exonerated him from criminal responsibility.
Concurrence. The Defendant did adequately voluntarily abandon his escape, thereby exonerating himself from criminal responsibility. However, the majority incorrectly states that the Defendant had not yet attempted the act of escape. When the Defendant snipped the barbed wire and crossed the inner fence, he was beyond preparation and into attempted escape.
Discussion. Abandonment of the attempted crime before completion is a valid defense to the crime. Abandonment must be voluntary and complete.