The case confirms that where medical evidence links the stress and blood loss from an assault to a cardiac arrest in a victim with pre-existing heart disease, it is open to a jury to find causation beyond reasonable doubt for manslaughter by unlawful and dangerous act. The thin skull rule applies such that a pre-existing cardiac condition rendering the victim more susceptible to death does not avail the assailant. A sentence of 4 years with 2 years 6 months non-parole period for manslaughter, while at the very bottom of the range, was not manifestly inadequate where the offender was a relatively youthful woman with significant psychological conditions, a difficult upbringing, and care of an infant in prison.
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