Is involuntary manslaughter a lesser offense than murder?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from The People v. Butler, D054120, No. SCD202485 (Cal. App. 2010):
Involuntary manslaughter is a lesser offense of murder, distinguished by its mens rea. (People v. Rios (2000) 23 Cal.4th 450, 460.) The mens rea for murder is specific intent to kill or conscious disregard for life. (Ibid.) Absent these states of mind, the defendant may incur homicide culpability for involuntary manslaughter. (Id. at p. 466;
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