The question is: “Do mitigating circumstances, justify criminal behaviors?” In criminal law, as in the Case of the Speluncean Explorers, the conditions surrounding the killing of Roger Whetmore must be considered before reaching a just and fair decision; however, these extenuating circumstances in no way justify or excuse a criminal conduct. Nonetheless, they could be grounds for the reduction of penalty. For instance, In People v. Morrin, 187 N.W.2d 434 (Mich. Ct. App. 1971), the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of first-degree murder. The court posited that, although the killing was intentional with malice aforethought, it did not reach the standard of first degree because it was not premeditated or planned, and that