involuntary manslaughter

noun

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of involuntary manslaughter

: manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not constituting a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act in a negligent or improper manner

Recent Examples of involuntary manslaughter from the Web

Young spoke directly to the perpetrator, Maria Buie, 25, from the witness stand in Suffolk Superior Court, where Buie, the boy’s stepmother, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Young’s child, Kenai Whyte.

— travis andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Woman pleads guilty in beating death of 3-year-old stepson in Roxbury," 13 July 2018
He was charged with involuntary manslaughter of at least 100 civilians, the murder of a woman and two counts of assault against a prisoner by firing twice over his head to frighten him the night after the massacre.

— richard goldstein, New York Times, "Ernest Medina, Army Captain Acquitted in My Lai Massacre, Dies at 81," 13 May 2018
Based on their findings, the Fulton County district attorney charged Tex with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.

— CBS News, "Atlanta attorney fatally shoots wife in SUV: Accident or cold-blooded murder?," 28 Apr. 2018
Kidd faces charges for involuntary manslaughter and child abuse, according to media reports.

— lavendrick smith, charlotteobserver, "Her son died in a house fire. Now NC officials believe she is responsible. | Charlotte Observer," 15 Mar. 2018
The fraternity was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault and must pay $112,500 in fines.

— alexa mcmenamin, Teen Vogue, "Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Banned From Pennsylvania," 8 Jan. 2018
Because of police misconduct at the scene, a plea agreement was accepted in the case, and Sanders pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

— Indianapolis Star, "Officers killed in the line of duty," 6 July 2014
Avoiding a jury trial on involuntary manslaughter, Piercy pleaded guilty in June 2017 to misdemeanor negligent operation of a vessel.

— laura bauer and max londberg, kansascity, "Trooper in Lake of the Ozarks drowning death should not have been fired, judge rules," 27 June 2018
Police arrested two teenage boys — a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old — on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and possession of a weapon by a minor.

— raisa habersham, ajc, "Funeral set for 12-year-old girl allegedly shot, killed by 2 teens," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'involuntary manslaughter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.