-
Notifications
You must be signed in to change notification settings - Fork 2
/
s13-06-manslaughter.html
171 lines (155 loc) · 29.6 KB
/
s13-06-manslaughter.html
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<link href="shared/bookhub.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<title>Manslaughter</title>
</head>
<body>
<div id=navbar-top class="navbar">
<div class="navbar-part left">
<a href="s13-05-second-degree-murder.html"><img src="shared/images/batch-left.png"></a> <a href="s13-05-second-degree-murder.html">Previous Section</a>
</div>
<div class="navbar-part middle">
<a href="index.html"><img src="shared/images/batch-up.png"></a> <a href="index.html">Table of Contents</a>
</div>
<div class="navbar-part right">
<a href="s13-07-end-of-chapter-material.html">Next Section</a> <a href="s13-07-end-of-chapter-material.html"><img src="shared/images/batch-right.png"></a>
</div>
</div>
<div id="book-content">
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06" condition="start-of-chunk" version="5.0" lang="en">
<h2 class="title editable block">
<span class="title-prefix">9.6</span> Manslaughter</h2>
<div class="learning_objectives editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_n01">
<h3 class="title">Learning Objectives</h3>
<ol class="orderedlist" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_l01">
<li>Compare murder and manslaughter.</li>
<li>Define voluntary manslaughter.</li>
<li>Ascertain the basis of an adequate provocation.</li>
<li>Explain the concurrence of a voluntary manslaughter killing and the heat of passion.</li>
<li>Compare voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.</li>
<li>Describe the three types of involuntary manslaughter.</li>
<li>Analyze manslaughter grading.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_p01">What distinguishes murder from manslaughter is the <strong class="emphasis bold">criminal intent element</strong>. Manslaughter is an unlawful killing <em class="emphasis">without</em> malice or murder intent.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_052">N.R.S. § 200.040, accessed February 13, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://law.onecle.com/nevada/crimes/200.040.html">http://law.onecle.com/nevada/crimes/200.040.html</a>.</span> The criminal act, causation, and harm elements of manslaughter and murder are fundamentally the same. Thus criminal intent is the only manslaughter offense element that is discussed in this section.</p>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01">
<h2 class="title editable block">Voluntary Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_p01">Manslaughter has two basic classifications: <strong class="emphasis bold">voluntary</strong> and <strong class="emphasis bold">involuntary</strong>. <span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">Voluntary manslaughter</a><span class="glossdef">A killing that occurs during a heat of passion adequately provoked by the victim.</span></span> has the same criminal intent element as murder. In fact, a voluntary manslaughter killing is typically supported by express malice, specific intent to kill, or purposely. However, in a voluntary manslaughter, an emotional state called a <span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">heat of passion</a><span class="glossdef">The turbulent mental state that negates murder intent in a voluntary manslaughter.</span></span> negates the murder intent. An <span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">adequate provocation</a><span class="glossdef">A provocation from the victim that would goad a reasonable person into a heat of passion, negating murder intent.</span></span> from the <em class="emphasis">victim</em> inspires the heat of passion.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_053">Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-211, accessed February 24, 2010, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode">http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode</a>.</span> The Model Penal Code does not require adequate provocation from the victim per se, but it does have a similar provision that reduces murder to manslaughter when there is a reasonable explanation or excuse (Model Penal Code § 210.3(1)(b)).</p>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_p02">The <strong class="emphasis bold">adequacy</strong> requirement is essential to any voluntary manslaughter analysis. Many defendants are provoked and thereafter kill with murder intent. Nonetheless, most provocations are not <strong class="emphasis bold">adequate</strong> to drop the crime from murder to manslaughter. The victim’s provocation must be serious enough to goad a <em class="emphasis">reasonable person</em> into killing.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_054"><em class="emphasis">People v. Steele</em>, 47 P.2d 225 (2002), accessed February 13, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18208208560981664037&q=voluntary+manslaughter+reasonable+person+adequate+provocation&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18208208560981664037&q= voluntary+manslaughter+reasonable+person+adequate+provocation&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5</a>.</span> A reasonable person is a fictional and objective standard created by the trier of fact. Of course, <em class="emphasis">the defendant</em> must <em class="emphasis">actually</em> be provoked, which is a subjective standard.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_055"><em class="emphasis">People v. Steele</em>, 47 P.2d 225 (2002), accessed February 13, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18208208560981664037&q=voluntary+manslaughter+reasonable+person+adequate+provocation&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18208208560981664037&q= voluntary+manslaughter+reasonable+person+adequate+provocation&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5</a>.</span></p>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s01">
<h2 class="title editable block">Example of Inadequate Provocation</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s01_p01">Revisit the situation discussed in <a class="xref" href="storm_1.0-ch09_s03#storm_1.0-ch09_s03_s01_s01_s03">Section 9 "Example of a Spontaneous Killing"</a>, in which Dillon kills his supervisor Frank with a brass paperweight after Frank fires him. Clearly, Frank’s conduct provokes Dillon into killing Frank. However, getting fired would not provoke a <em class="emphasis">reasonable person</em> into a killing frenzy. In fact, reasonable people are fired all the time and learn to live with it peacefully. Therefore, in this example, Dillon’s crime is most likely <em class="emphasis">murder</em>, not voluntary manslaughter.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s02">
<h2 class="title editable block">Example of Adequate Provocation</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s02_p01">A traditional example of provocation that <em class="emphasis">is</em> adequate to reduce a crime from murder to manslaughter is an observation by one spouse of another spouse in the act of adultery.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_056"><em class="emphasis">Ohio v. Shane</em>, 63 Ohio St.3d 630 (1992), accessed February 24, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8752055493993855988&q=voluntary+manslaughter+spouse+act+of+adultery&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8752055493993855988&q= voluntary+manslaughter+spouse+act+of+adultery&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5</a>.</span> For example, José comes home from work early and catches his wife in bed with his best friend. He becomes so enraged that he storms over to the dresser, grabs his handgun, and shoots and kills her. Clearly, José acts with intent to kill. However, the victim <em class="emphasis">provoked</em> this intent with an act that could cause a <em class="emphasis">reasonable person to kill</em>. Thus José has probably committed voluntary manslaughter in this case, not murder.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s03">
<h2 class="title editable block">Other Examples of Adequate Provocation</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s03_p01">Other examples of adequate provocation are when the homicide victim batters the defendant and a killing that occurs during a mutual combat.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_057"><em class="emphasis">Ohio v. Shane</em>, 63 Ohio St.3d 630 (1992), accessed February 24, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8752055493993855988&q=voluntary+manslaughter+spouse+act+of+adultery&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8752055493993855988&q= voluntary+manslaughter+spouse+act+of+adultery&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5</a>.</span> Cases have generally held that <em class="emphasis">words alone</em> are <em class="emphasis">not</em> enough to constitute adequate provocation.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_058"><em class="emphasis">Girouard v. State</em>, 583 A.2d 718 (1991), accessed February 24, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://www.audiocasefiles.com/acf_cases/8711-girouard-v-state">http://www.audiocasefiles.com/acf_cases/8711-girouard-v-state</a>.</span> Thus in the adequate provocation example in <a class="xref" href="#storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s02">Section 9 "Example of Adequate Provocation"</a>, if a friend told José that his wife was committing adultery, and José responded by shooting and killing his wife, this would probably be murder, not voluntary manslaughter.</p>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s04">
<h2 class="title editable block">Concurrence of the Killing and the Heat of Passion</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s04_p01">The second requirement of voluntary manslaughter is that the killing occur <em class="emphasis">during</em> a heat of passion. Defendants generally exhibit rage, shock, or fright when experiencing a heat of passion. This emotional state negates the calm, deliberate, intent to kill that supports a charge of murder. However, heat of passion mental states are typically brief in duration. Thus there cannot be a <em class="emphasis">significant time lapse</em> between the victim’s provocation and the killing.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_059"><em class="emphasis">State v. Cole</em>, 338 S.C. 97 (2000), accessed March 1, 2010, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/htmlfiles/SC/25037.htm">http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/htmlfiles/SC/25037.htm</a>.</span> Analyze the adequate provocation example discussed in <a class="xref" href="#storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s02">Section 9 "Example of Adequate Provocation"</a>. If José waits until the next day to shoot and kill his wife, the crime is most likely premeditated first-degree murder, <em class="emphasis">not</em> voluntary manslaughter.</p>
<div class="figure large medium-height editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s01_s04_f01">
<p class="title"><span class="title-prefix">Figure 9.7</span> Diagram of Voluntary Manslaughter</p>
<img src="section_13/492ae2eb7a9afcbdac334152a67261d6.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02">
<h2 class="title editable block">Involuntary Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_p01"><span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">Involuntary manslaughter</a><span class="glossdef">Misdemeanor manslaughter, reckless involuntary manslaughter, negligent involuntary manslaughter, or vehicular manslaughter.</span></span> is an unlawful killing that completely lacks murder intent. Involuntary manslaughter is distinguishable from voluntary manslaughter, which generally includes a murder intent that has been <em class="emphasis">negated</em>. Involuntary manslaughter generally can be classified as <span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">misdemeanor manslaughter</a><span class="glossdef">A criminal homicide that occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a misdemeanor.</span></span>, <span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">reckless or negligent involuntary manslaughter</a><span class="glossdef">A killing that is supported by the criminal intent element of recklessness or negligence.</span></span>, or <span class="margin_term"><a class="glossterm">vehicular manslaughter</a><span class="glossdef">A killing that is carried out with a vehicle and lacks murder intent.</span></span>.</p>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s01">
<h2 class="title editable block">Misdemeanor Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s01_p01">Misdemeanor manslaughter, also called <strong class="emphasis bold">unlawful act manslaughter</strong>, is a criminal homicide that occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a <em class="emphasis">misdemeanor</em>. The Model Penal Code completely rejects misdemeanor manslaughter. There is a trend to follow the Model Penal Code’s example and abolish misdemeanor manslaughter. Most states that prohibit misdemeanor manslaughter only include misdemeanors that are inherently dangerous to life in the criminal statute, excluding strict liability misdemeanors or malum prohibitum crimes.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_060">K.S.A. § 21-3404 (b), accessed July 28, 2010, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://kansasstatutes.lesterama.org/Chapter_21/Article_34/21-3404.html">http://kansasstatutes.lesterama.org/Chapter_21/Article_34/21-3404.html</a>.</span> A minority of states and the federal government include strict liability or malum prohibitum crimes in their misdemeanor manslaughter statutes.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_061">21 O.S. § 711(1), accessed July 28, 2010, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=69314">http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=69314</a>.</span> In either jurisdiction, the defendant need only possess the criminal intent <em class="emphasis">for the misdemeanor</em> to be guilty of the killing.</p>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s01_s01">
<h2 class="title editable block">Example of Misdemeanor Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s01_s01_p01">Roberta points an unloaded gun at Jennifer to scare her into breaking up with Roberta’s ex-boyfriend. This crime is called brandishing a weapon and is often classified as a misdemeanor. At the sight of the gun, Jennifer suffers a heart attack and dies. Roberta has most likely committed misdemeanor manslaughter in this case. Brandishing a weapon is not always inherently dangerous to life. However, if Jennifer has a heart attack and dies because of Roberta’s commission of this misdemeanor offense, Roberta still could be criminally responsible for misdemeanor manslaughter in many jurisdictions.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s02">
<h2 class="title editable block">Reckless or Negligent Involuntary Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s02_p01">States and the federal government also criminalize <strong class="emphasis bold">reckless</strong> or <strong class="emphasis bold">negligent</strong> involuntary manslaughter.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_062">Ala. Code § 13A-6-3(a) (1), accessed February 13, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://law.onecle.com/alabama/criminal-code/13A-6-3.html">http://law.onecle.com/alabama/criminal-code/13A-6-3.html</a>.</span> Reckless or negligent involuntary manslaughter is a more common form of manslaughter than misdemeanor manslaughter. The Model Penal Code defines reckless homicide as <em class="emphasis">manslaughter</em> and a felony of the second degree (Model Penal Code § 210.3). The Model Penal Code defines negligent homicide as a felony of the third degree (Model Penal Code § 210.4).</p>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s02_p02">Reckless involuntary manslaughter is a killing supported by the criminal intent element of <strong class="emphasis bold">recklessness</strong>. Recklessness means that the defendant <em class="emphasis">is aware</em> of a risk of death but acts anyway. Negligent involuntary manslaughter is a killing supported by the criminal intent element of <strong class="emphasis bold">negligence</strong>. Negligence means that the defendant <em class="emphasis">should be aware</em> of a risk of death, but is not. This category includes many careless or accidental deaths, such as death caused by firearms or explosives, and a parent’s failure to provide medical treatment or necessities for his or her child. Reckless and negligent criminal intent is discussed in detail in <a class="xref" href="storm_1.0-ch04#storm_1.0-ch04">Chapter 4 "The Elements of a Crime"</a>.</p>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s02_p03">As stated in <a class="xref" href="storm_1.0-ch09_s05#storm_1.0-ch09_s05_s01">Section 9.5.1 "Depraved Heart Murder"</a>, reckless or negligent involuntary manslaughter is often similar to second-degree depraved heart murder. If the prosecution charges the defendant with both crimes, the trier of fact determines which crime is appropriate based on the attendant circumstances.</p>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s02_s01">
<h2 class="title editable block">Example of Reckless or Negligent Involuntary Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s02_s01_p01">Steven, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, brings his shotgun into the local rifle shop to be repaired. Steven thinks that the shotgun is unloaded and hands it to the employee with the <em class="emphasis">safety off</em>. Unfortunately, the gun is loaded and discharges, shooting and killing the employee. In this case, Steven <em class="emphasis">should know</em> that at certain times the safety on his shotgun must always be on because he is a registered gun owner and a sheriff’s deputy who has been trained to handle guns. However, Steven is unaware of the risk and believes that the gun is unloaded. If the employee dies, Steven could be convicted of negligent involuntary manslaughter in jurisdictions that recognize this crime. If Steven is in a jurisdiction that only recognizes <strong class="emphasis bold">reckless</strong> involuntary manslaughter, the prosecution may have to prove a higher degree of awareness, such as Steven’s knowledge that the shotgun was <em class="emphasis">loaded</em>.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s03">
<h2 class="title editable block">Vehicular Manslaughter</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s03_p01"><strong class="emphasis bold">Vehicular manslaughter</strong> is typically either the operation of a motor vehicle with <strong class="emphasis bold">recklessness</strong> or <strong class="emphasis bold">negligence</strong> resulting in death or the operation of a motor vehicle <em class="emphasis">under the influence</em> of alcohol or drugs resulting in death.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_063">N.Y. Penal Law § 125.12, accessed March 5, 2010, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/ny3%28a%29%281%29-.htm">http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/ny3%28a%29%281%29-.htm</a>.</span> Some states have specific vehicular manslaughter statutes.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_064">Cal. Penal Code § 191.5, accessed February 7, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/191.5.html">http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/191.5.html</a>.</span> In states that do not, the defendant could be prosecuted under a jurisdiction’s misdemeanor or unlawful act manslaughter statute if the defendant violates a vehicle code section. Vehicular manslaughter can also be prosecuted under a jurisdiction’s reckless or negligent involuntary manslaughter statute, depending on the circumstances. If the defendant uses a motor vehicle as a weapon to kill the victim, the intent to kill is present and the appropriate crime would be <strong class="emphasis bold">murder</strong>.</p>
<div class="figure large editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s02_s03_f01">
<p class="title"><span class="title-prefix">Figure 9.8</span> Diagram of Involuntary Manslaughter</p>
<img src="section_13/82d3cc75e8a5681855a679707d349b3d.jpg">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="section" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03">
<h2 class="title editable block">Manslaughter Grading</h2>
<p class="para editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_p01">Voluntary and involuntary manslaughter typically have a more lenient punishment scheme than murder because the criminal intent is less heinous.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_065">N.R.S. § 200.080, accessed February 13, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://law.onecle.com/nevada/crimes/200.080.html">http://law.onecle.com/nevada/crimes/200.080.html</a>.</span> Often manslaughter functions as an imperfect <em class="emphasis">defense</em> to murder, based on the less serious sentencing options. In general, voluntary manslaughter is <strong class="emphasis bold">graded</strong> higher than involuntary manslaughter.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_066">N.R.S. § 200.090, accessed February 13, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://law.onecle.com/nevada/crimes/200.090.html">http://law.onecle.com/nevada/crimes/200.090.html</a>.</span> Some states divide manslaughter into degrees, rather than classifying it as voluntary and involuntary, with first-degree manslaughter punished more severely than second-degree manslaughter.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_067">N.Y. Penal Law §125.20, accessed February 24, 2011, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article125.htm#125.20">http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article125.htm#125.20</a>.</span> The Model Penal Code grades all manslaughter as a felony of the second degree (Model Penal Code § 210.3(2)) and grades negligent homicide as a felony of the third degree (Model Penal Code § 210.4(2)).</p>
<div class="figure full editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_f01">
<p class="title"><span class="title-prefix">Figure 9.9</span> Diagram of Homicide</p>
<img src="section_13/6f6749d26826db46396e273af1f03eee.jpg">
</div>
<div class="key_takeaways editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_n01">
<h3 class="title">Key Takeaways</h3>
<ul class="itemizedlist" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_l01">
<li>Murder is a killing supported by the criminal intent of malice or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to life. Manslaughter is a killing supported by malice negated by a heat of passion, reckless, or negligent criminal intent.</li>
<li>Voluntary manslaughter is a killing that occurs during an adequately provoked heat of passion.</li>
<li>An adequate provocation is one sufficient to goad a reasonable person into killing and that actually provokes the defendant into killing.</li>
<li>A killing must occur during a heat of passion to be classified as voluntary manslaughter. If a killing occurs before the heat of passion is provoked or after the heat of passion has cooled, it probably will be classified as murder.</li>
<li>Voluntary manslaughter is supported by murder intent that has been negated in an adequately provoked heat of passion. Involuntary manslaughter lacks murder intent altogether.</li>
<li>The three types of involuntary manslaughter are misdemeanor manslaughter, reckless or negligent involuntary manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter.</li>
<li>Manslaughter is typically graded lower than murder. Voluntary manslaughter is typically graded higher than involuntary manslaughter. The Model Penal Code grades all manslaughters as felonies of the second degree and grades negligent homicide as a felony of the third degree.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="exercises editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_n02">
<h3 class="title">Exercises</h3>
<p class="para" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_p02">Answer the following questions. Check your answers using the answer key at the end of the chapter.</p>
<ol class="orderedlist" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_l02">
<li>How does the Model Penal Code classify criminal homicides?</li>
<li>Read <em class="emphasis">Stevens v. State</em>, 691 N.E.2d 412 (1997). Why did the Indiana Supreme Court affirm the lower court’s decision to refuse a jury instruction on voluntary manslaughter in this case? The case is available at this link: <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1747625552972024733&q=stevens+v.+state+691+ne2d+412&hl=en&as_sdt=2002&as_vis=1">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1747625552972024733&q= stevens+v.+state+691+ne2d+412&hl=en&as_sdt=2002&as_vis=1</a>.</li>
<li>Read <em class="emphasis">Tripp v. State</em>, 374 A.2d 384 (1977). In this case, the defendant killed his ex-girlfriend, her mother, her niece, and her son. Did the Maryland Court of Appeals hold that <em class="emphasis">the victim</em> must be the source of adequate provocation in a voluntary manslaughter case? The case is available at this link: <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17743318345966072534&hl=en&as_sdt=2002&as_vis=1">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17743318345966072534&hl=en&as_sdt=2002&as_vis=1</a>.</li>
<li>Read <em class="emphasis">Walker v. Superior Court</em>, 47 Cal.3d 112 (1988). What was the basis for the involuntary manslaughter charge against the defendant in this case? Did the California Supreme Court uphold this charge? The case is available at this link: <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11713950418773441100&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr">http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11713950418773441100&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr</a>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="exercises editable block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_n03">
<h3 class="title">Law and Ethics</h3>
<p class="simpara">Should Killing an Abortion Doctor Be Voluntary Manslaughter?</p>
<p class="para" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_p03">Scott Roeder left his pew during a church service, walked up to a well-known abortion doctor, and deliberately shot him in the head, killing him. During Roeder’s trial for first-degree premeditated murder, the defense asked the court to allow a second charge of voluntary manslaughter. The defense claimed that defendant Roeder was acting in <em class="emphasis">defense of others</em> in the attempt to save the lives of unborn children.<span class="footnote" id="storm_1.0-fn09_068">“Man Testifies he Killed Kansas Abortion Doctor,” <em class="emphasis">USA Today</em>, accessed July 27, 2010, <a class="link" target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-01-28-tiller-murder-trial_N.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-01-28-tiller-murder-trial_N.htm</a>.</span></p>
<ol class="orderedlist" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_l03">
<li>What are some of the consequences of allowing the charge of voluntary manslaughter in this situation?</li>
</ol>
<p class="para" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_p04">Check your answer using the answer key at the end of the chapter.</p>
</div>
<div class="callout block" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_n04">
<h3 class="title">Scott Roeder Verdict Video</h3>
<p class="simpara">Scott Roeder Convicted of Murder</p>
<p class="para" id="storm_1.0-ch09_s06_s03_p05">Scott Roeder’s murder verdict is shown in this video:</p>
<div class="mediaobject">
<a data-iframe-code='<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lhWyubMcEV0" condition="http://img.youtube.com/vi/lhWyubMcEV0/0.jpg" vendor="youtube" width="450" height="340" scalefit="1"></iframe>' href="http://www.youtube.com/v/lhWyubMcEV0" class="replaced-iframe" onclick="return replaceIframe(this)">(click to see video)</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id=navbar-bottom class="navbar">
<div class="navbar-part left">
<a href="s13-05-second-degree-murder.html"><img src="shared/images/batch-left.png"></a> <a href="s13-05-second-degree-murder.html">Previous Section</a>
</div>
<div class="navbar-part middle">
<a href="index.html"><img src="shared/images/batch-up.png"></a> <a href="index.html">Table of Contents</a>
</div>
<div class="navbar-part right">
<a href="s13-07-end-of-chapter-material.html">Next Section</a> <a href="s13-07-end-of-chapter-material.html"><img src="shared/images/batch-right.png"></a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="shared/book.js"></script>
</body>
</html>