Which term describes an unintentional or accidental killing without justification or excuse?

• A. Manslaughter, Involuntary
• B. Murder, Second Degree
• C. Minor
• D. Involuntary Manslaughter

Answer: (D)

The main idea is how homicide is classified by intent and justification. An unintentional or accidental killing with no justification or excuse is described as involuntary manslaughter. The evidence here is that there was a death, there was no intent to kill, and the conduct was reckless or negligent (or involved an unlawful act that isn’t a felony), so malice required for murder isn’t present. That combination fits involuntary manslaughter, making it the correct label.

Murder, second degree, would involve intent to kill or a sufficiently depraved indifference to human life, which isn’t present in an unintentional killing. The option about a minor isn’t a crime, and while some texts might phrase the same offense as “manslaughter, involuntary,” the standard, widely used term is involuntary manslaughter.