释义 |
manslaughter n. Unlawful homicide that does not amount to the crime of murder. There are two main categories: voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter arises when a defendant is charged with murder but successfully pleads a partial defence of loss of control, diminished responsibility, or suicide pact. Involuntary manslaughter consists of unlawful killing of another person with a mens rea not amounting to intention. Although the distinctions between forms of involuntary manslaughter remain unclear in law, it is generally understood to consist of subjective recklessness manslaughter (R v Pike [1961] Crim LR 547), constructive manslaughter (also called unlawful act manslaughter: R v Arobieke [1988] Crim LR 314), gross negligence manslaughter (R v Adomako [1995] 1 AC 171). The maximum penalty for manslaughter is life imprisonment. See also corporate manslaughter; gross negligence. |