Consider the traditional common law crime of “heat of passio…
Consider the traditional common law crime of “heat of passion manslaughter” and its elements. Although an individual can be charged with this crime, it is also often raised as a defense to a charge of murder by a defendant hoping to be convicted of this lesser homicide offense. In such a case, how is “heat of passion manslaughter” like a justification defense? And how is it like an excuse defense?