10.Speaking. Read and translate the texts, choose any you like and learn the case. Manslaughter

Marianne Bachmeir, from Lubeck, West Germany, was in court watching the trial of Klaus Grabowski, who had murdered her 7 year-old daughter. Grabowski had a history of attacking children. During the trial, Frau Bachmeir pulled a Beretta 22 pistol from her handbag and fired eight bullets, six of which hit Grabowski, killing him. The defence said she had bought the pistol with the intention of committing suicide, but when she saw Grabowski in court she drew the pistol and pulled the trigger. She was found not guilty of murder, but was given six years imprisonment for manslaughter. West German newspapers reflected the opinion of millions of Germans that she should have been freed, calling her "the avenging mother".

Homicide

Bernard Lewis, a thirty-six-old man, while preparing dinner became involved in an argument with his drunken wife. In a fit of a rage Lewis, using the kitchen knife with which he had been preparing the meal, stabbed and killed his wife. He immediately called for assistance, and readily confessed when the first patrolman appeared on the scene with the ambulance attendant. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The probation department's investigation indicated that Lewis was a rigid individual who never drank, worked regularly, and had no previous criminal record. His thirty-year-old deceased wife, and mother of three children, was a "fine girl" when sober but was frequently drunk and on a number of occasions when intoxicated had left their small children unattended. After due consideration of the background of the offence and especially of the plight of the three motherless youngsters, the judge placed Lewis on probation so that he could work, support, and take care of the children. On probation Lewis adjusted well, worked regularly, appeared to be devoted to the children, and a few years later was discharged as "improved" from probation.

Murder

Two youths in Mitcham, London, decided to rob a dairy. They were Christopher Craig, aged 16, and Derek William Bentley, 19. During the robbery they were disturbed by Sydney Miles, a policeman. Craig produced a gun and killed the policeman. At that time Britain still had the death penalty for certain types of murder, including murder during a robbery. Because Craig was under 18, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Bentley who had never touched the gun, was over 18. He was hanged. The case was quoted by opponents of capital punishment, which was abolished.

Shop-lifting

In June Lady Isabel Barnett, a well-known TV personality was convicted of stealing a tin of tuna fish and a carton of cream, total value 87p, from a small shop. The case was given enormous publicity. She was fined £75 and had to pay £200 towards the cost of the case. A few days later she killed herself.

Fraud

This is an example of a civil case rather than a criminal one. A man had taken out an insurance policy of £100,000 on his life. The policy was due to expire at 3 o’clock on a certain day. The man was in serious financial difficulties, and at 2.30 on the expire day he consulted his solicitor. He then went out and called a taxi. He asked the driver to make a note of the time, 2.50. He then shot himself. Suicide used not to cancel an insurance policy automatically. (It does nowadays.) The company refused to pay the man’s wife, and the courts supported them.

Word Study

account – (зд.) сообщение to sum up - резюмировать

punishment – наказание penalty – наказание

to fit – соответствовать homicide - убийство

to become outraged – возмутиться bullet – пуля

assault - нападение to stab - вонзить

to confess – признаться rigid – стойкий, строгий

sober – трезвый frequently – часто

unattended – без присмотра plight – положение

to take care of – заботиться о diary – молочный магазин

death penalty – смертная казнь to fine - оштрафовать

to be convicted of – обвиняться в fraud - мошенничество

in a fit of rage – в порыве ярости to quote - ссылаться

to be discharged – быть освобожденным to avenge - мстить

to pull the trigger – нажать на курок

ambulance attendant – сотрудник скорой помощи

manslaughter – непреднамеренное убийство

to commit suicide – совершить самоубийство

to pass the sentence – вынести приговор

to plead guilty – признать себя виновным

probation department – отдел условного освобождения

life imprisonment – пожизненное заключение

to be hanged – быть повешенным

to abolish capital punishment – отменить высшую меру наказания

to break sb`s jaw – сломать челюсть

enormous publicity – большая огласка

insurance policy – страховой полис

due to expire – должен истечь (о сроке)

to appear on the scene – прибыть на место преступления