“Is a finding of manslaughter even an option?”
I read, and this may not be accurate, that either side may ask the judge to consider lesser charges if they want. The judge may not do so.
If the trial continues this badly for the state, I imagine the state will ask for the option of manslaughter. The Defense would, of course, fight that.
Time will tell I guess.
And I would imagine this judge would allow that.
I understood a pretrial agreement that its either guilty of 2nd degree murder or nothing