Kevin Gowen wrote:

> Kevin Wayne Williams wrote:
> 

>> You don't necessarily have to be aware of the exact
>> consequence, though. If you expected your wrongful action to be an
>> assault, and it resulted in death, you would still be criminally
>> culpable for the death. 
> 
> 
> An assault can not result in a death. Neither can a battery, as a 
> battery that results in death would merge into one of the homicide 
> offenses depending on the MENS REA. I think the relevant California case 
> on this application of the merger doctrine is _People v. Wilson_.

Please read what I wrote more carefully. Assume I threatened to punch 
you in the nose, and proceeded to do so. Further assume that you died as 
a result of the blow. I would be criminally responsible for your death 
and charged with some variation of homicide. The fact that I *expected* 
to commit assault and battery, and *expected* the result to be a bloody 
nose, doesn't excuse my culpability for the death. The result was 
homicide, and that is what I would be charged with.
KWW