What law are you referencing? I know of no law regarding suicide liability for practical jokers. Much less a “crystal clear” one.
They committed no crime, as far as I am aware, so it isn’t a death incident to a crime. Even if they did ... whether suicide is forseeable for such a minor stunt is extremely debatable, if not completely frivolous. She didn’t die because of their recklessness or negligence — they made a prank phone call, and she died by her own hand with intent.
This would be thrown out of any courtroom I’ve ever practiced in.
She is liable. And, she should be.
SnakeDoc
Same principle as in insurance or criminal law.
For example, say you lightly rear end somebody....
If they are extremely delicate, pregnant and/or driving a tiny lightweight car it is YOUR problem.
The argument “well they were vulnerable, they had other issues, it’s not my fault they had back surgery last week/ are in the midst of a difficult pregnancy after 3 miscarriages” (both actual cases I know of where a 5-10 mph rear ender resulted in $200K + damages... tough tacos should have been more careful, luck of the draw as the judge basically put it) would get you laughed out of court. even if the same accident would have just been laughed off by a healthy person in a larger vehicle.
Or if one just jokingly says “I have a gun” and a guard or clerk starts shooting, innocent bystander hit. one hundred percent your fault.
I hope the jerks never work again and spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulder for some member of the SAS to settle the score. It would be as if someone tried to get a first lady’s medical records from the hospital (ANY first or former first lady), I would hope they would be the recipient of a serious ass whooping and in fear of much worse for the rest of their corporeal existence.
They were jerks, the whole world thinks they are jerks, they had no business doing what they did and I hope they are made an example of for all “shock jocks” to take heed of for decades.
And I really couldn’t give a rip about the royals (outside of respecting William for his service to his country when he could so easily get out of it).