- Joined
- May 15, 2010
- Messages
- 20,089
- Reaction score
- 55,560
In NC the judge has the power to add 2nd degree murder to the 1st Degree Murder charge the DA charges. This way the jury can assess a case such as this and a verdict is possibly more possible. If the charge is only 1st Degree, as said earlier, all it takes is one hold-out, and a mistrial must be declared. Also the suspect can always make a deal on 2nd or manslaughter if one is offered by the DA.
Here's one explanation I found:
More here:
Second Degree Murder vs Voluntary Manslaughter Explained
Here's one explanation I found:
Second Degree Murder vs Voluntary Manslaughter Explained
The difference? A person committing second degree murder, while not premeditated, has full understanding of their actions and kills someone anyway. Manslaughter involves a circumstance that may cause a reasonable person to become emotionally disturbed or considered as a murder fueled by passion or impulse.
More here:
Second Degree Murder vs Voluntary Manslaughter Explained