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Questions tagged [manslaughter]

The act of a human killing another human, in a manner considered by law less culpable than murder.

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Is attempted manslaughter a real crime?

During a scene of a movie where they're reading out another character's rap sheet they mention 'attempted manslaughter'. As I understand it manslaughter is the unlawful but unintentional killing of another person through some sort of criminal…
Ethan
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Can Sherlock Holmes be convicted of killing Dr. Grimesby Roylott?

Inspired by The Adventure of the Speckled Band. The following description contains SPOILERS. Near the end of the story, Dr. Roylott sends a venomous snake down a rope with Holmes on the other end. Holmes was expecting the snake, so he struck the…
Allure
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Does it constitute murder if the attempted murder fails but the victim dies anyway as a side effect of the attacker's actions?

For example, suppose an attacker is chasing a victim with a knife and the intention to kill. While running away, the victim falls, hitting their head, and dies. Assuming there is clear evidence for the the attacker's intentions and how the victim…
T Hummus
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Does speeding turn an accident into manslaughter?

Assume a person is driving down a posted 40mph road, but doing considerably over the speed limit, say 60-70mph. A person on the pavement trips and falls in front of the speeding car, is hit, and dies. Although there is potentially the argument that…
Ethan
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What is the difference between "murder", "manslaughter" and "homicide"?

Do "murder", "manslaughter" and "homicide" have different legal definitions? Or are they just terms referring to the same act used in different jurisdictions?
kevin
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Ashli Babbitt: manslaughter vs. deprivation of rights under color of law

Note if you wish to discuss the following questions, rather than make a constructive criticism of the question or answer, I've setup this stack exchange chatroom for discussions. If you have an independent answer, please create a new answer In a…
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May putting others at peril worsen the sentence?

Bob the Burglar specializes in fencing of stolen safety equipment (fire extinguishers, AEDs, etc.). One night, he breaks into a factory and steals the fire extinguishers and a fire hose. The theft is not immediately discovered. The next day, during…
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Could you be charged with manslaughter for obstructing an ambulance?

There was a recent incident in London that has been all over the news where protesters blocked a road and eventually ended up blocking an ambulance. It was stated that they were aware of the ambulance yet still refused to move. Assume a hypothetical…
Ethan
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If a bystander has no legal obligation to help, can they dissuade others from doing so?

Hitler* is walking down the street. Suddenly he has a heart attack and collapses. Alice sees this. She considers calling 911 or giving CPR but realises it's Hitler and decides not to. Bob also sees and is about to help. If Alice tells Bob not to…
Comic Sans Seraphim
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Are martial artists held to a different standard?

At the beginning of the movie Con Air, the main character is presented as an ex-Green Beret who is attacked by 3 people outside a bar. He defends himself and his pregnant wife during the fight until one breaks a bottle over his head, after which he…
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Why doesn't double jeopardy apply in this case where a woman was convicted of attempted murder, then manslaughter when the victim died years later?

There's an article in today's news about a woman who pleaded "no contest" to attempted murder in 1985 after allegedly shaking a child and causing him serious injury. In 2019 the child, now grown up, died from those injuries. The woman was indicted…
Robert
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Does the guilt of the victim affect the validity of a crime of passion

I just watched the movie 'A Time To Kill'. If you don't know it, it is about the trial of a man who kills the 2 men that violently raped and assulted his daughter. In the end, he was found innocent by reason of temporary insanity. My question is, in…
Ethan
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What does the law say if I push the fat man off the bridge in a trolley problem?

The original Trolley Problem is stated as: There is a runaway trolley barreling down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing some distance…
Allure
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MMA Fighter knowingly slays their opponent with a legal hit, is it manslaughter

In an american MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) sanctioned match, one fighter executes a newly created technique, we'll call it the "five-point palm exploding heart technique" upon their opponent. Said opponent suffers the hit, takes a few steps, and drops…
Anne Quinn
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Is there a time limit on manslaughter charges?

Summary: Is there any automatic liability for death by health complications caused by someone already charged for causing the complication? I'm aware charges can be revisited but does it have to be brought up again? What is the time limit on…
Lio Elbammalf
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