A blacksmith ran a small forge in a tourist attraction depicting village life in the 1800s, and produced small metal trinkets fo
r sale as souvenirs. A tourist came into the forge and started ridiculing the blacksmith, telling him that he was foolish for practicing such an out-of-date trade when modern equipment could produce the same trinkets faster and far more cheaply. Although he maintained a calm demeanor, the blacksmith was enraged by the time the customer finished and headed back out the door. He picked up an anvil and hurled it in the general direction of the customer. The anvil fell harmlessly to the ground after traveling maybe a foot.If the blacksmith is charged with assault, which of the following statements would be most helpful for his defense?A. The blacksmith did not succeed in hitting the customer with the anvil, and he knew that it was impossible to do so.B. The blacksmith knew that it was impossible to hit the customer with the anvil.C. The customer did not see the blacksmith throw the anvil, and the blacksmith knew that it was impossible to hit the customer with the anvil.D. The customer did not see the blacksmith throw the anvil.
C. The customer did not see the blacksmith throw the anvil, and the blacksmith knew that it was impossible to hit the customer with the anvil
Explanation:
The most helpful option for his defence would be that this customer did not see him through the anvil and the blacksmith knew that it was not possible to hit him with the object which is option c.
An assault can arise by either trying to commit a battery or buy intentionally committing one. If this blacksmith claims that he knew it was not possible to hit the man with the anvil, this would take out the fact that he intentionally tried to commit an assault. Also, since this customer did not see him throw it, there will also be no way any form of assault would have been created.
