Homicide

Massachusetts Law defines homicide as willful killing of another person. There are two categories of homicide – murder and manslaughter. There are certain degrees of murder and the punishments that derive from it. If someone is charged with **first degree murder** than he/she’s punishment is life, without possible parole. If someone is charged with **second degree murder** than he/she’s punishment is life, with eligibility of parole after 15 years.
 * Homicide? **
 * ** Murder **

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 265 Section 1 first degree murder is accomplished in these following modes: premeditated malice, with extreme cruelty, and commission of a felony punishable by death or imprisonment.

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 265 Section 1 second degree murder is accomplished in these following modes: with malice aforethought, in commission or attempted of a felony that is punishable by death or imprisonment.

There is voluntary manslaughter which is another type of murder. Without malice and occurs from sudden fighting or reasonable aggravation. If someone is charged with **voluntary manslaughter** then the punishment will be state prison up to 20 years, plus fines. If someone is charged with **involuntary manslaughter*** then the punishment will be state prison up to 20 years, plus fines. *Involuntary Manslaughter is an unlawful act in a reckless behavior results in the death of another person.
 * ** Manslaughter **

The RMV is required to take away learner’s permit, driver’s license, or right to operate if convicted with vehicular manslaughter or homicide. 1st Offense of vehicular homicide = 15 years, and 2nd Offense = lifetime. 1st Offense of Motor vehicle manslaughter w. OUI = 15 years, and 2nd Offense = lifetime. 1st Offense of motor vehicle manslaughter = 15 years, and 2nd Offense = lifetime.

The crime rate in September 2009 had fallen since Mayor Menino took office in 1993. Then crime rates started increasing in 2005, homicides rate reached a 10 year 75. In 2008 there were 63 murders in the city compared to 39 year-to-date for 2009. This is a case of murder rates going down.
 * ** Crime Rates **

Mason and his younger sister, Chloe were both home alone bored and couldn’t think of anything to do. The Mason decided that he wanted to wrestle with Chloe. They began to play fight and it got intense, Mason got frustrated that his sister who was bigger than him was winning and gained strength to push her off. She flew and hit her head on the glass table and died. Mason was in utter shock and panic. - This is a scenario of involuntary manslaughter because it was reckless behavior and he didn’t mean to kill her when he pushed her. In Milton, there was a case of double murder. A police said that there was a car that pulled up to the other car and fired, killing two and wounding another. This is an actually case; it is not known whether it is closed or ongoing.
 * ** Scenario **