565.023. Voluntary manslaughter, penalty — under influence of sudden passion, defendant’s burden to inject.
Explains when killing someone is considered voluntary manslaughter
This law defines voluntary manslaughter in Missouri—when someone causes a death in the heat of the moment or helps another person take their own life—and outlines the punishment.
1. A person commits voluntary manslaughter if they:
- (1) Kill someone in a way that would normally be second-degree murder, but they did it under sudden passion caused by something serious enough to make them lose self-control; or
- (2) Knowingly help someone commit suicide.
2. If claiming sudden passion, the defendant has the responsibility to raise that defense during the case.
3. Voluntary manslaughter is a class B felony.
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