Las Vegas Woman Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter
Earlier this month a middle-aged Las Vegas woman was sentenced after pleading guilty to violating Nevada Involuntary manslaughter law and robbery. She originally faced charges of murder with a deadly weapon after allegedly killing a woman last year during an argument. The judge sentenced her to 5 to 15 years in prison.
Nevada involuntary manslaughter law covers cases where the suspect allegedly killed someone without intent to kill and in the commission of an act that might reasonably result in death--in other words, negligent homicide. Typical involuntary manslaughter situations include handling a loaded gun that accidentally goes off and shoots someone dead or when a child dies from having eaten poison you negligently left out within the child's reach. Involuntary manslaughter is less serious than murder, which requires either intent to kill or reckless homicide.
Common defenses in cases of Nevada involuntary manslaughter law include insanity, self-defense and lack of an unlawful or negligent behavior (blameless accident). It's a category D felony and carries one to four years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. People charged with murder sometimes may plea bargain to involuntary manslaughter instead.
