tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651032.post111939895655646144..comments2024-03-18T07:55:19.196-07:00Comments on Public Defender Dude: How was Killen convicted of Manslaughter`PD Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067582064163477160noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651032.post-1119470330820098312005-06-22T12:58:00.000-07:002005-06-22T12:58:00.000-07:00Yeah, I tend to go with the compromise verdict the...Yeah, I tend to go with the compromise verdict theory. At one point, the jury was split 6-6. In the end, they convicted of a lesser included. I'd be interested in hearing from some of the jury members, but without their comments, those facts scream compromise verdict to me.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I don't believe they were lynched. I think they were shot in the back of the head.123txpublicdefender123https://www.blogger.com/profile/16074278445586583355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651032.post-1119468994485795872005-06-22T12:36:00.000-07:002005-06-22T12:36:00.000-07:00a/k/a misdemeanor manslaughter. An unintended kill...a/k/a misdemeanor manslaughter. An unintended killing that occurs during an unlawful act not amounting to a felony.<BR/><BR/>or, on the other hand, it could just be good old jury nullification.Mister DAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12557780546647365805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651032.post-1119416309288671152005-06-21T21:58:00.000-07:002005-06-21T21:58:00.000-07:00Best I can tell from press reports was that it was...Best I can tell from press reports was that it was some sort of negligent-act or unlawful-act form of manslaughter. This would probably be akin to a Cal. involuntary manslaughter conviction obtained upon a death resulting from a misdemeanor or gross negligence. So it wasn't a heat-of-passion or imperfect self-defense form of manslaughter. It appears that the jury believed that Killen was involved in planning and encouraging the assault, but was unable to find that he intended that they be killed. In California, this could still be sufficient for murder under a variety of theories. But we're dealing with whatever homicide law was in Mississipi in 1964. (I'm not up on it.)<BR/><BR/>Press reports: <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/22/national/22civil.html?hp&ex=1119499200&en=545d5727fee88e96&ei=5094&partner=homepage" REL="nofollow">here</A> (NYT) and <A HREF="http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/11950257.htm" REL="nofollow">here</A> (Kansas City Star).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com