Rarely does a day go by when you don't see words like manslaughter, murder, or homicide in the newspaper, and yet, very few people try to understand the difference between them. In this Buzzle article, we will simplify these legal terms and help you to understand how they differ from each other.In the Trial of Conrad MurrayMichael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter for causing Jackson's death from an overdose of Propofol on June 25, 2009.Manslaughter refers to the unlawful killing of one human being by anotherwithoutmalice aforethought. Murder, on the other hand, refers to the unlawful killing of one human being by anotherwithmalice aforethought. So, what is this 'malice aforethought' which differentiates manslaughter from murder?In legal terminology, 'malice aforethought'refers to the intention to kill or harm. Hence, if the unlawful killing is premeditated, it amounts to a murder. If not, it amounts to manslaughter. If Mr. X takes Mr. Y atop a high-rise building and pushes him to death, it amounts to murder. In contrast, if they get into an altercation on a staircase, wherein Mr. Y abuses Mr. X and, in turn, Mr. X slaps Mr. Y, who falls from the stairs and dies, then itcan be considered manslaughter.As for homicide, it is defined as the deliberate and unlawful killing of a human being by another, and therefore, both manslaughter and murder are considered homicides. Having said that, things are not as simple as they seem; at least, not in thefield of law. There are some specifics that need to be considered when understanding whether the said act is manslaughter or murder. Before we get to the details of these two concepts, let's get well-versed with the concept of homicide, which happens to be an umbrella term for the two.Homicide.
Like we said before, homicide is the act of a human being killing another human being. The term is derived from the Latin word,homicidium, which, in turn, is the combination of two words,homomeaning human being, andcaedere, meaning to cut or kill. Though it is often used synonymously with murder, it is not restricted to the same. Murder is basically a form of criminal homicide, so is manslaughter. There do exist cases of non-criminal homicide, wherein the act of killing is considered justified or excusable. For example, a person killing another in self defense, or a law enforcement officer killing someone in the line of duty.

Manslaughter vs. Murder- It's the intent that helps to determine whether a particular act of homicide was manslaughter or murder. If the person hitssomeone with the intention of hurting―not killing, but unintentionally ends up killing him, then it is considered manslaughter. Similarly, when the person acts on being provoked, or when he is not in a sane frame of mind because of underlying psychiatric health issues, then homicide amounts to manslaughter. As theperson's state of mind is not entirely in his control in such cases, the act of killing is not considered a murder.An act of homicide is considered a murder when it is deliberate and premeditated. In this case, a person unlawfully kills another person after proper planning and plotting. An apt example would be a case wherein, following an altercation, a person goes and buys a gun, returns to the person with whom he had the altercation, and kills him. Even the intent to cause severe injury, which eventually results in the person's death, or an act which shows utter disregard to human life, eventually resulting in a death, are considered equivalent to intent to kill, and thus, such acts fall in the ambit of murder.

Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter.
Manslaughter can be voluntary and involuntary. In the case of voluntary manslaughter, the intent or 'malice aforethought' is there, but the act, i.e., the unlawful killing, is committed in the 'heat of passion' in response to a provocation which is strong enough to make a reasonable person to lose control over himself. If, however, there is enough time for the defendant to cool down and then he commits homicide, then it is considereda murder.Involuntary manslaughter includes gross negligence manslaughter, wherein a person kills another person because of negligence or recklessness on his part, without intending to do so; constructive manslaughter, wherein a person causes a death as a result of some unlawful, dangerous act on his part; and vehicular manslaughter, in which case the death is caused as a result of negligence while driving. The case of Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician, is anapt example of involuntary manslaughter.First-degree and Second-degree MurderAs with manslaughter, even murder is classified into two types: first-degree murder and second-degree murder. Whether an act of homicide will be considered a first- or second-degree murder will depend on the circumstances and the area of jurisdiction. As the intention to kill exists in both cases, it usually comes down to whether the act was premeditated or not.Excessive planning is involved in first-degree murder, such that the person may even go to the extent of using explosives, or resort to other sophisticated technique to commit the crime. Also to be taken into account is the felony murder rule, which states that any death that occurs during a felony―even if it's that of one of the felons―is considered a murder.At times, there is a thin line of difference between murder and manslaughter, such that everything comes down to subjectivity. Let's say, for example, Mr. X accidentally bumps into Mr. Y while walking on a crowded street, but continuesto walk instead of apologizing, and a furious Mr. Y takes out a gun and kills him. In this case, despite the 'provocation', Mr. Y will be charged with murder, because the 'provocation', as we discussed before, was not strong enough to make a reasonable person to lose control over himself. A strong provocation, as seen in several cases, is adultery.Though both are considered criminal offenses in the U.S., a murder is definitely more serious than manslaughter, and that reflects in the sentencing as well. While a person convicted for murder can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or even death in somejurisdictions, a person convicted for manslaughter will be sentenced to imprisonment. But obviously, voluntary manslaughter will result in a relatively severe sentence. If, however, the defense fails to establish adequate provocation, the person who is being tried for manslaughter, can be tried and subsequently sentenced for murder.

source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/difference-between-manslaughter-murder-and-homicide.html

thanks so much for the clarification. Its worth it

ok now.how u go carry know say person hit person not meaning to kill but to harm. it doesnt make sense.if u know say if you hit me with bottle for head you fit kill me and you still carry d bottle hit me saying u no mean to kill but only to harm me but kills me on the process.na only thunder go fire you.

Mayydayy: ok now.how u go carry know say person hit person not meaning to kill but to harm. it doesnt make sense.if u know say if you hit me with bottle for head you fit kill me and you still carry d bottle hit me saying u no mean to kill but only to harm me but kills me on the process.na only thunder go fire you.

oscar pistorious comes to mind that was cleared of murder but charged for manslaughter.



www.nairaland.com/1897926/lionel-messis-hometown-bans-parents

Thanks op. I was asked this question when I went for NPF cadet screening 5years ago.
Well, I goofed!

ok. so what's the difference between suicide and kill-my-self. just as mama peace said "i would rather kill my self than commit suicide".

Mayydayy: ok now.how u go carry know say person hit person not meaning to kill but to harm. it doesn't make sense.if u know say if you hit me with bottle for head you fit kill me and you still carry d bottle hit me saying u no mean to kill but only to harm me but kills me on the process.na only thunder go fire you.

Dude there's something called autopsy, they take it very seriously over there where the above laws works properly(thorough investigation is carried out before verdict is delivered). I know you are used to the one here were every "killings" amounts to murder in their book. that's why the law wasn't made in/for Nigeria.

Nosyke:


Brethren, the bolded is an example of voluntary manslaughter.


@Op, thanks so much for the write up, was quite very educative.

Brethren, the bolded is an example of Involuntary manslaughter

gud.

zeemore:

Brethren, the bolded is an example of Involuntary manslaughter

Subjective!!!

We know

Very informative bt d tin long small sha

Thank you OP..

So would Oscar Pistorius be found guilty of manslaughter

Aforethought aforemalice, these things dey turn my head.law no b small fin

You guys should forget all those grammar of confusion.

The question we Nigerians always ask is:

Person die or not

Anyhow wey them take speak am....death na death....whether voluntary or involuntary.


Murder --------- Voluntary

Manslaugter ------ Involuntary

Homicide -------- Voluntary + Involuntary

Wetin all of them represent? No be the same kpai abi na kaput?

Nice one Op! Quite revealing and educative!

FP material...diz z very educative

.

Nosyke:


[i]Brethren, the bolded is an example of voluntary manslaughter.

ha ha, you wicked. and you should not forget that there is God in everything we are doing. Nice one. Made me lol.

Thanks op. Better arrangement may help though.

No vex bros, is this thing copied from Sharia reporters or where?

Waoo... Dats one hell of an information, o.p abeg chop knoku

thanks op i nearly commited manslaughter when punched a man for insulting my dad and guess what the force from by fist caused the man to nearly his head on a nearby brick.
LESSON:hot temper no good ooo

Nice and informative thread. .... I have been coming across words like homicide and murder without actually knowing the differences. ...

When a person commits a felony nd in the process of trying to escape he kills someone. I read an article which says d above statement is not murder but a culpable homicide (Manslaughter). Here u wrote that d above statement is murder, @op i'm kind of confused. Also in addition to my confusion, this felony murder rule, is it a general rule?

This is good. I must commend you f♡̬̩̃̊r takin your time Τ̅☺ explain it in detail. ҉G̶̲̥̅̊ơ̴̴͡d̶̲̥̅̊҉ wil continue Τ̅☺ strenthen you.

Just passing-by,though.

brightcay: This is good. I must commend you f♡̬̩̃̊r takin your time Τ̅☺ explain it in detail. ҉G̶̲̥̅̊ơ̴̴͡d̶̲̥̅̊҉ wil continue Τ̅☺ strenthen you.

Just passing-by,though.

Did you just get a new blackberry?

Am enlightened though ! . More grease to ur elbow

op, thanks for the information.

ya'll are welcome.