The degrees of homicide under MO law

[Recursion]

Just thought this might be helpful

Murder is unlawful killing with malice

Murder 1 is killing with
* Premeditation and deliberation (ie, "in cold blood&quot
OR
* Atrocity and cruelty
OR
* As part of another felony

Murder 2 is all other murder, ie
* With malice
BUT
* Without premeditation or deliberation
AND
* Without atrocity or cruelty
AND
* Not as part of another felony
("deliberation" has a very high standard, so murder 2 is the highest charge anybody could reasonably have expected against Wilson, and IMO that's a stretch -- non-felony murder of a stranger is essentially unknown)

Manslaughter is unlawful killing without malice

Voluntary manslaughter is killing
* In hot blood (during an altercation or quarrel, "in the heat of passion", etc.)
(This is what I would have voted to indict on from what I've seen)

Involuntary manslaughter is killing
* During the commission of a crime that is not a felony
OR
* While doing something legal in a grossly negligent manner
(This would have a better chance at trial than voluntary manslaughter)

[MannyGoldstein]

1. At the very, very least

it was grossly negligent.