This may sound like a stupid question, but give it some thought...?

Question

If a crook shot Superman, could the crook be charged with attempted murder, since it is common knowledge that bullets cannot harm Superman?

What if Superman disguised himself as a common man and the crook thought he was shooting a regular person?
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To bcre8iv: The only thing that would be more of a waste of time than asking stupid questions would be to read a fictitious book and worship a fictitious lord.
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Doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible about getting the stick out of your @ss before criticizing others

Answer 1

Well, that's simple, if the crooks knows it is Superman (and he knows that Superman can not be harmed by bullets) he should not be charged with attempted murder or manslaughter, if he doesn't know it is Superman than he should be charged with attempted murder/manslaughter.

That will probably the line the defense will take: Of course my client knew it was Superman, he was just practicing his shooting skills!

So the prosecution should make it likely that the shooter could not be aware that he was shooting at Superman.

Interesting stuff for a courtroom series :-)

Answer 2

It all depends on what the legal definition of 'attempted murder' actually is.

First: assuming Superman stopped the rounds fired...

If the definition is one that states: the whole intention to commit murder but failing to do so; then the shooter will be charged with attempted murder, because the intention was there (legal word: mens rea; the mental capacity to commit the crime).

If the definition was that the whole intention to commit murder and by inflicting harm to the victim; then the issue becomes sticky.
The mens rea and actus reus (physically commiting the act) are there, but no injuries were inflicted, so technically a charge can't be laid.

If Superman didn't stop the rounds, killing him:
It's murder. Regardless of a community belief that rounds fired from a weapon can't hurt someone, the act (actus reus) and mental state (mens rea) was still present and therefore the charges can be laid against the shooter.

However, unlawful discharge and use of a firearm are almost certain charges.

Answer 3

The crook would be charged with attempted murder.

If Superman disguised himself, the crook would be charged with murder, as Superman is not Superman without his Superman Suit

Answer 4

He should still be charged with attempted murder. His intent is still to harm him. Why would he shoot him without the intent to kill him. Just because he is ignorant and doesn't know that bullets won't kill superman doesn't mean that his intent is anything other than murder.

EDIT: What if he had bullets made of Kryptonite or thought his bullets were made of kryptonite?

Answer 5

ya u really have a funny question though...... . yes the crook can be charged with a attempt murder as u said if super man was a normal human begin....but what if anybody havent seen the murder and how will he be charged......

Answer 6

funny you say that but in the old superman shows (blackandwhite) the crook empties the gun at superman and sups just smiles but the crook throws the gun at superman and sups ducks funny stuff lol

Answer 7

Ha, ha..atheist dee told a joke.
But seriously, instead of wasting time asking silly questions that have no meaning. Spend your idle time reading the bible and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your true saviour.

Answer 8

try taking a step into reality, superman does not exist in the world i live in.

Answer 9

A wee bit too much time on our hands? But I have no idea.

Answer 10

No, it doesn't sound like a stupid question, it is.