Simple homicide is the act of one human killing another. A homicide requires only a voluntary act of another person that results in death, and therefore a homicide can be the result of accidental, reckless or negligent acts, even if there is no intention to cause harm. Homicides can be divided into many overlapping legal categories, including murder, homicide, wrongful death, murder in war, euthanasia, and capital punishment, depending on the circumstances of the death. These different types of homicides are often treated very differently in human societies; some are considered crimes, while others are allowed or even mandated by the legal system.
Simple homicide takes many forms, including accidental murder or intentional murder. Simple homicide falls into two broad categories, murder and wrongful death, depending on the mood and intent of the person committing the murder.
Murder is the most serious crime that can be charged to a person after a homicide. In many jurisdictions, murder can be punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Although the categories of murder may vary by jurisdiction, murder charges fall into two broad categories:
- Murder in the first degree: the premeditated, unlawful and intentional murder of another person.
- Murder in the second degree: the intentional and unlawful murder of another person, but without any premeditation.
In some jurisdictions, a homicide that occurs during the execution of a dangerous crime may constitute murder, regardless of the actor's intention to commit a homicide. In the United States, this is known as the felony murder rule. In simple terms, under the simple manslaughter rule a person who commits a felony can be guilty of murder if someone dies as a result of the commission of the crime, including the victim of the felony, a bystander, or a criminal, regardless of their intent., or lack of it, to kill, and even when the death results from the actions of a co-defendant or a third party who is reacting to the crime.
