|
What's the difference between a homicide and murder?
Apparently Michael Jackson's recent death was labeled as a homicide. From what I understand, his doctor, Conrad Murray, is being held responsible for Michael Jackson's death because he administered lethal dosages of the drug propofol. If this is true then why isn't it referred to as murder? I mean, wouldn't they be the same thing? I'm seriously missing something, I think. Could somebody clear this up for me and let me know the difference between a homicide and a murder? Maybe they're the same thing only there's two different words for it..?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Random Weirdos?
This article correctly explains the differences for you. =)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
]
Homicide means 'killing someone' and murder means 'killing someone unlawfully and with premeditated malice'.
So, all murders are homicides, but not all homicides are murders.
Murder is always criminal. Homicide is sometimes legal.
Homicide can be deemed by a court to be murder, or it could be something else like manslaughter or recklessness endangerment. Or they could even say that yep, a homicide took place but it wasn't illegal or no one can be held responsible for it.
When people are writing in the papers, they almost always say homicide when someone is accused, because murder implies guilt and the intention to kill, where homicide only implies that someone is dead and that someone else could be responsible. It's part of presuming a person innocent until proven guilty. A person should never be called a murderer until convicted of that crime. The court might end up actually charging this doctor with manslaughter, or murder, but until the charge is laid it's wrong for responsible journalist to use the word murder.
]
More Questions: |