Homicide

Question 1

What are the 5 primary categories of homicide in Colorado?

Answer 1

1. First-degree murder (18-3-102 C.R.S.)
2. Second-degree murder (18-3-103 C.R.S.)
3. Manslaughter (18-3-104 C.R.S.)
4. Criminally negligent homicide (18-3-105 C.R.S.)
5. Vehicular homicide (18-3-106 C.R.S.)

Question 2

First-degree murder?

Answer 2

“Premeditated or knowing killings.”

• The deliberate and premeditated killing of another person.
• Killing by acting with extreme indifference to the value of human life. An example is Russian Roulette.
• Perjury that causes an innocent person to be convicted and executed.
• Knowingly causing the death of a child under 12. And the perpetrator was in a position of trust with the child.
• Selling or distributing drugs to children under 18 on school grounds. And this causes the child’s death.

Question 3

Second-degree murder?

Answer 3

“Unintended deaths caused by extremely dangerous behavior, or felony murder.”

• knowingly causing another’s death. The defendant may not have planned for the victim to die. But the defendant knew that death would likely result.
• Heat of passion is a mitigating factor that may be raised by an accused criminal, claiming to have been in an uncontrollable rage, terror, or fury at the time of the alleged crime
• Felony Murder occurs when someone dies during the commission of a crime.

Question 4

Vehicular homicide?

Answer 4

Fatal car accidents caused by DUI or reckless driving

Question 5

Manslaughter?

Answer 5

Unintended deaths caused by reckless behavior or assisted suicide. (No Intent)

Question 6

Criminally negligent homicide?

Answer 6

Unintended deaths caused by careless behavior.

Question 7

What type of charges are all homicides?

Answer 7

Felonies