Criminal Defense in Homicide Cases

Criminal Homicide Trial of OJ Simpson with his attorneys F Lee Bailey and Johnny Cohcran

One of the most famous Criminal Homicide Cases of all time; OJ Simpson with his attorneys F Lee Bailey and Johnny Cochran

Homicide

  • 1st degree murder

  • 2nd degree murder

  • 3rd degree murder

  • voluntary manslaughter

  • involuntary manslaughter

 

It’s no secret that criminal homicide is the most serious type of criminal charge that a person can face in this country. No other offense offers the steep penalties that can be associated with homicide including life in prison without the possibility of parole, and even the death penalty. It goes without saying that a person facing a criminal homicide charge needs the best representation possible when the cost of conviction is so serious. I’ve successfully handled each of the types of criminal homicide in Pennsylvania and will be the light in the darkest time of your/your loved one’s life.

Homicide Types Defined

 

1st degree murder-A criminal homicide constitutes murder of the first degree when it is committed by an intentional killing. 18 Pa. Stat. and Consol. Stat. Ann. § 2502 (West).

2nd degree murder-A criminal homicide constitutes murder of the second degree when it is committed while defendant was engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony. 18 Pa. Stat. and Consol. Stat. Ann. § 2502 (West).

3rd degree murder-All other kinds of murder shall be murder of the third degree. Murder of the third degree is a felony of the first degree. 18 Pa. Stat. and Consol. Stat. Ann. § 2502 (West)

Definitions- “Intentional killing.” Killing by means of poison, or by lying in wait, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate and premeditated killing.

“Perpetration of a felony.” The act of the defendant in engaging in or being an accomplice in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing, or attempting to commit robbery, rape, or deviate sexual intercourse by force or threat of force, arson, burglary or kidnapping.

“Principal.” A person who is the actor or perpetrator of the crime. 18 Pa. Stat. and Consol. Stat. Ann. § 2502 (West)

Voluntary Manslaughter- A person who kills an individual without lawful justification commits voluntary manslaughter if at the time of the killing he is acting under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation by:

(1) the individual killed; or

(2) another whom the actor endeavors to kill, but he negligently or accidentally causes the death of the individual killed. 18 Pa. Stat. and Consol. Stat. Ann. § 2503 (West).

Involuntary Manslaughter-A person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter when as a direct result of the doing of an unlawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, or the doing of a lawful act in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, he causes the death of another person. 18 Pa. Stat. and Consol. Stat. Ann. § 2504 (West)

Potential Penalties for Murder

 

1st degree murder- Death Penalty or Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole

2nd degree murder- 30 years to Life In Prison

3rd degree murder-20 years in Prison

Voluntary Manslaughter- 20 years in Prison

Involuntary Manslaughter- 5 years in Prison