re: 3rd degree murder and manslaughter

Not in Minnesota, it is not. They are separate crimes with different elements. Manslaughter does not have a universal definition in criminal law. Its state-by state.


Generally speaking---Third degree murder in MN is an unintentional killing that occurs when the defendant performs an inherently dangerous act without regard for life. First degree manslaughter in MN is an intentional killing with mitigating circumstances such as percieved/real provocation, etc. Second degree manslaughter in MN is killing as a result of the defendant's negligent creation of an unreasonable risk to life.

Not sure which type of manslaughter they charged him with. But the three crimes are distinct, and they carry different sentencing guidelines.