Homicide

The killing of one human being by another. Criminal: A person’s reckless actions, without regard for human life, resulted in the killing of another person Non-criminal: Excusable or justifiable homicide(war, death penalty, self-defense etc.)

Suicide Non-criminal homicide – Considered a plea for help, requiring a psychological examination – One of the leading causes of death among teenagers

Malice The intent to kill or seriously harm another person that shows a lack of regard for human life Must prove the killers state of mind!

First-degree Murder Killing that is planned before the act. (Premeditated) – Action with an intent to kill or cause severe bodily injury without regard for life – Can be charged, even if the wrong person is killed – Class A Felony

First Degree Murder Murder conducted with weapons of mass destruction, poison, lying in wait, starving, imprisonment and torture or any other pre-mediated killing

Felony Murder A murder that occurs during the commission of another felony (robbery, arson, rape etc.) – Does not matter if there was an intent to kill during the felony – Class A Felony

Second-Degree Murder A killing that is done with malice, but without premeditation or deliberation. – Includes unplanned, spontaneous killings – Drug use that causes death – Class B Felony

Voluntary Manslaughter The victim acted in a way that would cause a reasonable person to loose self control – Killing during a violent fight or argument – Must occur immediately after the “provocation” – Class D Felony

Involuntary Manslaughter A killing when there is not intent to kill at all. – Actions so dangerous that a person could be seriously injured or killed (Can be called Negligent Homicide) – Class E Felony – Involuntary v. Voluntary Manslaughter Involuntary v. Voluntary Manslaughter

Involuntary Manslaughter Causing death through criminal negligence (Failure to exercise necessary care) – Vehicular Homicide: Careless driving in a vehicle that causes a death (Class E Felony) – Not taking care of a patient in nursing home (Class C Felony)

Negligent homicide Causing death through criminal negligence (failure to exercise care) – Most states charge as involuntary manslaughter – Typically, vehicular homicide

Name that Degree of Homicide: Randy spends one year planning to kill his enemy, Fred. When Fred comes home from his evening walk, Randy shoots and kills Fred.

Name that degree of Homicide: Cynthia is robbing a bank and a bank teller tries to take the money from her. Cynthia grabs a gun, shoots the bank teller and escapes.

Name that degree of Homicide: Randy is excited about attending the Fourth of July parade. He wants to show his love for the United States by setting off some fireworks, so he lights three fireworks in the middle of the parade and three participants are killed.

Name that degree of Homicide: Calvin is waiting in line for tickets to see Disney Princesses on Ice. Henry cuts in front of Calvin, so Calvin pulls out his gun and shoots Henry until he dies.

Name that degree of Homicide: Calvin and Henry are standing in line for Disney Princesses on Ice. Henry punches Calvin in the face and Calvin turns around and punches Henry in the chest until he dies.

Name that Degree of Homicide: Kelly does not like that Jennifer has a higher grade than her in Law & Justice. She secretly poisons Jennifer’s Capri Sun at lunch and Jennifer dies.

Name that Degree of Homicide: Natasha is responsible for making sure her grandmother takes her heart medicine every day. Natasha gets bored visiting her grandmother, so she no longer monitors the prescriptions and her grandmother dies.

Name that Degree of Murder: David is hiking on a nice day with Timothy, While on the hike, Timothy tells David that he is having an affair with his wife. David gets so upset that he throws Timothy off a cliff.

Name that Degree of Homicide: Carrie and Elizabeth decide to race their car on the highway after drinking some alcohol. Elizabeth crashes with another car on the highway and the driver of the other car dies.

Name that degree of Homicide: Carl secretly participates in ballet classes on Wednesday nights. Melinda finds out and says that she will tell everyone that he is a ballerina, so Carl shoots and kills Melinda. Second Degree Homicide Example