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Dictionary

homicide

Unlawfully killing a human being under the [Queens] peace, the death following within a year and a day. It is punishable by imprisonment for life. (1) Felonious homicide, (a) Death caused by an act done with the intention of causing death or bodily harm, or known to be likely to cause death or bodily harm, without legal justification or excuse; (b) Death caused by an omission, amounting to culpable negligence, to discharge a duty tending to the preservation of life, whether accompanied by a intention to cause death or bodily harm or not; (c) Death caused accidentally by a unlawful act. (2) Excusable homicide. Where the person by whom the homicide is committed is not criminally responsible. It is either by misadventure, or in self-defence. (3) Justifiable homicide Where homicide is committed without blame in the execution of a legal duty, or in furtherance of a legal purpose, e.g. putting a person to death in pursuance of a legal sentence.

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