ABSTRACT
Involuntary manslaughter arises where the D’s actions cause a V’s death, but the D does not have the mens rea for murder. It is often contrasted with ‘voluntary manslaughter’ which covers killings affected by provocation,170 or diminished responsibility,171 or which take place as part of a suicide pact.172 In these three situations, the D has the mens rea of murder, but the offence is reduced to manslaughter by reason of one of the mitigating factors.
