Cases & principles on Homicides: Murder & Manslaughter
Homicide, murder and manslaughter in criminal law OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON HOMICIDES Homicide is the killing of human being by a human being. These can be divided into two categories: Lawful killings ü Killing an enemy in execution of war. ü Killing in execution of lawful judgment. ü Killing in self-defense. ü Killing in the course of arresting or preventing a crime. ü Accidental killing. Unlawful killing ü Murder ü Manslaughter. ü Suicide. ü Child destruction. Who can kill? A man of sound memory and of age of discretion i.e. a man who is responsible according to the general principles of criminal responsibility. Who is a victim of homicide? One must be a living person. Section 204 of the Penal Code explains when a child is deemed to be a person capable of being killed. When does the life end? A person is termed dead when the brain stop working. Causation in Homicide Causation in homicide is provided under section 203 of the Penal Code. This se