Is involuntary manslaughter a lesser included crime of murder?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Garcia, F062834 (Cal. App. 2013):

Defendant separately contends the court had a sua sponte duty to instruct on involuntary manslaughter as another lesser included offense of murder. "Involuntary manslaughter is manslaughter during 'the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony,' or during 'the commission of a lawful act which might produce death, in an unlawful manner, or without due caution and circumspection.' ( 192, subd. (b).) 'The offense of involuntary manslaughter requires proof that a human being was killed and that the killing was unlawful. [Citation.] A killing is "unlawful" if it occurs (1) during the commission of a misdemeanor inherently dangerous to human life, or (2) in the commission of an act ordinarily lawful but which involves a high risk of death or bodily harm, and which is done "without due caution or circumspection." ' [Citation.]" (People v. Murray (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 1133, 1140.) There also exists a nonstatutory form of the offense, which is based on the predicate act of a noninherently dangerous felony committed without due caution and circumspection. (People v. Butler (2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 998, 1007.)

"[C]riminal negligence is the governing mens rea standard for all three forms of committing the offense. [Citations.]" (People v. Butler, supra, 187 Cal.App.4th at p. 1007.) Criminal negligence consists of " 'aggravated, culpable, gross, or reckless' conduct that creates a high risk of death or great bodily injury and that evidences a

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