University American Penology Case Study

University
American Penology
Case Study
Student Credentials
3/1/2020

Criminal Law 1
Case Study
Facts of the Case
Darlene Nall is a female in her late 30s born and brought up in a strict Christian household.
She left school when she was 12 years old and has lived with her step -sister and her step -
father in Houston since then.
Nall has had a habit of substance abuse since young age such as smoking weed and
consumption of Vicodin is a few of many regular things she has been taking.
Her sister used to constantly beat her and abuse her; apart from that her uncle has also been
recorded of molesting and raping her.
Nall stabbed her step –sister when they had an argument and the step –sister started beating
her from an iron rod. (Involuntary Manslaughter)
Also, her father was murdered by the local gang nearby their house and mother is in mental
asylum.
Darlene learnt things and societal norms by social learning and differential association and
she also has certain psychological challenges in regards with which she cannot take
treatments due to her financial situation.
Prior Criminal Behaviour
She has been arrested before by the local authorities for dealing in drugs for which she has
stayed in the prison for two days where she was abused by the inmates and was released later
due to the wrong conviction which was found when the case reopened.

Criminal Law 2
Apart from these, she has also confessed to dealing of drugs after this incident and she was
never arrested or convicted for that.
She has also been convicted of the sister’s murder upon which the case is still ongoing and
recently it was found out to be an act of involuntary manslaughter rather than being a case of
murder.
Life History
Family Relationships
Her birth father died when she was 11 and her mother re married her step –father after that.
She never had a healthy relationship with her step –sister as well. In fact she and her mother
both were abused and beaten at home a lot. Domestic abuse was a constant thing.
This resulted in her mother becoming mentally ill and then being shifted to a mental asylum
in Chicago.
Later her uncle also abused and raped her.
Substance Use/Abuse
Nall had a habit of substance abuse since her father died and to cope up from the depression
she resorted to drugs.
Since the age of 12 she has been a constant drug abuser.
Prior Abuse/Victimization
Due to her depression, and bad mental health she was often abused at home by her step –
father and her step –sister. Step –sister used to bully her and beat her also.

Criminal Law 3
Apart from that, since she used to stay secluded due to social anxiety and as such, her uncle
gained her confidence and then abused her. When growing up, she realised what he was
doing, she refused him, as a repercussion he raped her.
She also did not have much contact with neighbours and any interaction with the society due
to her illness as the same age people used to bully her.
Economic Situation
She did part time jobs but never had a constant source of income and relied on odd jobs for
the same. Her financial situation was not good.
Factors affecting her criminal behaviour
The societal pressure, constant shunning and abuse has led her mental state to worsen.
Constant abuse at home also has resulted in her current state.
Also, another aspect that has led to the current situation is society labelling her as a mental
and weird person. Though it happens with everyone, but constant labelling and shunning has
led her to this situation.
She also had a lack of education that also played a very important role in her upbringing.
Constant connection with some or the other kind of crime has moulded her thinking
according to that.
Advised sentence
Since the crime here has been a result of part self –defence and that can also be proved by the
results of the medical investigation on both the bodies. Involuntary Manslaughter as stated in
the US Criminal aspect is an act where an unintentional killing takes place due to criminal
negligence as such on the part of one person (Find Law). This recklessness is known to be an

Criminal Law 4
act of involuntary manslaughter (Nolo). In this case, the advised sentence shall be on the
basis of her current state of mind which is 3 years in Rehabilitation facility where she shall be
provided mental assistance and be kept away from drugs (Nolo).
Bibliography
Find Law. Involuntary Manslaughter Overview. 2020. 1 March 2020
<https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/involuntary-manslaughter-
overview.html>.
Nolo. Involuntary Manslaughter Penalties and Sentencing. 2020. 1 March 2020
<https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/involuntary-manslaughter-penalties-
and-sentencing.html>.
—. Sentencing Alternatives: Prison, Probation, Fines, and Community Service. 2020. 1
March 2020 <https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/sentencing-alternatives-
prison-probation-fines-30294.html>.