Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to a 5-year prison sentence for the shooting death of his girlfriend. Convicted of Culpable Homicide in South Africa, Pistorius will have to serve at least 1/6th of his sentence (10 months) before he can be placed on a different kind of correctional supervision (i.e. house arrest). Culpable Homicide means someone was unlawfully, but unintentionally killed. In Larimer, Grand and Boulder County, Colorado, this crime is considered Manslaughter.
What is Manslaughter in Fort Collins?
Colorado law defines Manslaughter – C.R.S. 18-3-104 – as when:
- A person recklessly causes the death of another person; or
- A person intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide.
Manslaughter is a Class 4 felony, but is not considered a crime of violence in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Boulder. The possible sentence range is 2 to 6 years imprisonment in the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) with a 3-year mandatory parole.
Why Culpable Homicide or Manslaughter for Pistorius?
[pullquote align=”right” textalign=”center” width=”40%”]Pistorius recklessly caused the death of his girlfriend.[/pullquote]The South African judge found Pistorius not guilty of murder, but felt he showed ‘gross negligence’ by shooting into the bathroom knowing someone was in there. Pistorius’ testified that he thought an intruder was in the house and he was trying to protect himself. He claimed he did not know the person in the bathroom was his girlfriend and it was never his intention to kill someone, especially her. Under Colorado Law, his crime fit the first circumstance, where he recklessly caused the death of his girlfriend. Here it would also be a Domestic Violence Crime – C.R.S. 18-6-801.
Why You Need a Lawyer for You Manslaughter Charges
Facing any charges related to murder is scary. Don’t be afraid. At the O’Malley Law Office, our attorneys have fought hundreds of court battles and are prepared to be at your side every step of the way. We are here to defend you, not judge you.
If you or a loved one is facing charges related to the death of another person, you need an experienced Fort Collins murder and homicide defense attorney by your side. Be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.