unlawful killing
Illegal taking life
Unlawful killing is a legal term for a death caused by another person without lawful justification.
It covers homicides that range from murder to manslaughter—any killing not excused by self-defense, war, or state execution.
British coroners return verdicts of unlawful killing when evidence suggests criminality but no one has been charged: The inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing.
- manslaughterUnlawful killing without forethought
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- second degreeMiddle severity ranking
- malice aforethoughtPrior intent to harm
cold blood · stabbing · infanticide · self defense · premeditation · felony murder · crime of passion · criminal trial · negligence · diminished capacity · crime rate · shooting · mitigating factors · beyond reasonable doubt · criminal liability · mens rea · victim advocacy · recklessness
- homicide lawhomicide, murder charge, manslaughter, first-degree murder, second-degree murder
- death causescause of death, natural causes, manner of death, accidental death, natural death
- military offensesdesertion, insubordination, mutiny, AWOL, absence without leave
unlawful killinglegal execution
Lawful killing by state
judicial execution · justifiable homicide · capital punishment · death penalty · self-defense
unlawful killinglifesaving
Preserving human existence
life preservation · rescue · resuscitation · medical intervention · healing