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9: Criminal Homicide

  • Page ID
    17522
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts

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    • 9.0: Prelude to Criminal Homicide
      This page defines a deadly weapon legally, stating that its classification applies regardless of its intended use or creator, as long as it has the potential to cause death, as seen in the case Acers v. U.S.
    • 9.1: Homicide
      This page details the definitions and legal implications of homicide, feticide, and suicide. It explains that homicide, the killing of one human by another, is not always criminal, and distinguishes between justifiable, excusable, and felonious homicide. The page also covers the evolution of feticide laws and mentions that while suicide is typically not criminal, assisted suicide may be, with its legality upheld by the US Supreme Court.
    • 9.2: Murder
      This page outlines the elements of murder, including intent, causation, and harm, as well as definitions of justifiable and excusable homicides. It discusses the insanity defense and "usable homicide," where an insane defendant's actions are noncriminal. The transmission of AIDS in relation to murder and manslaughter is noted, and the declining murder rate in the U.S. from 2006 to 2009 is mentioned.
    • 9.3: First-Degree Murder
      This page outlines first-degree murder, focusing on its classifications: premeditated murder, murder by specified means, and felony murder. It emphasizes the need for intent and planning in premeditated cases and discusses grading murder, capital punishment implications, and the rarity of death penalty sentences.
    • 9.4: Felony Murder
      This page explains felony murder, defined as a death occurring during the commission of a felony without typical murder intent. Liability generally extends to co-felons, although exceptions exist. The conclusion of a felony is marked by the suspect reaching "temporary safety," and felony murder itself can be categorized into degrees based on the nature of the felony.
    • 9.5: Second-Degree Murder
      This page explains second-degree murder, distinguishing it from first-degree murder. It describes second-degree murder as non-premeditated, involving implied malice and depraved heart murder, which is marked by recklessness and indifference to life. The text notes that reckless actions, such as impaired driving, can raise charges from manslaughter to second-degree murder.
    • 9.6: Manslaughter
      This page explains the differences between murder and manslaughter, emphasizing the absence of malice in manslaughter. It covers voluntary manslaughter, which arises from serious provocation, and involuntary manslaughter, categorized by lack of intent (reckless or negligent). Examples of negligent behavior leading to fatalities and specific cases, like vehicular manslaughter, illustrate these concepts.
    • 9.7: End-of-Chapter Material
      This page explores homicide law, distinguishing between criminal homicide categories like murder (first and second-degree) and manslaughter (voluntary and involuntary). It examines the concepts of malice, intent, and premeditation through various case scenarios, prompting the reader to evaluate court decisions.


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