Exactly. I thought it was voluntary manslaughter unless you intentionally killed someone. And premeditating it made it first degree.
I’ve been a juror on two complicated jury trials. I’m pretty black and white with how I decide stuff. If I did not believe that when that man saw that girl he purposed in his mind to run her down, the worst thing I could find him guilty of is manslaughter.
Based on this: “second-degree murder
: a murder that is committed without premeditation but with some intent (as general or transferred intent) or other circumstances not covered by the first-degree murder statute”
From here: http://dictionary.findlaw.com/definition/murder.html
I don’t think it was second degree murder. And based on this:
Manslaughter: Involuntary
“Involuntary manslaughter usually refers to an unintentional killing that results from recklessness or criminal negligence, or from an unlawful act that is a misdemeanor or low-level felony (such as DUI). The usual distinction from voluntary manslaughter is that involuntary manslaughter (sometimes called “criminally negligent homicide”) is a crime in which the victim’s death is unintended.”
From here:http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes/a-z/manslaughter_involuntary.html
The above even describes this case at a high level.
Well I’m glad you weren’t on the jury. Both the prosecutor and the judge explained it in detail. The parameters of the law as it exists called for the charge of 2nd degree murder in this case. Period.
And as the judge put it, if you disagree with the parameters of the law, then run for office and try to change it. As it stands, justice was done.