The Illustrated Guide to Criminal Law
Chapter 9: At Least You Tried
Attempt pg 10: Wishing

So that’s four people who want you dead. The question is, which ones committed a crime against you?

Bill in silhouette, playing with a yo-yo.

Bill doesn’t intend to kill you, and hasn’t done anything to hurt you.

No mens rea, no actus reus? No crime.

Merely wishing harm on someone is not something the State is going to punish.

Average Joe in a noir detective’s hat and trench coat.

AVERAGE JOE

Crime is always something you did, not something you thought.