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Voluntary manslaughter - 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2503

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     § 2503.  Voluntary manslaughter.
        (a)  General rule.--A person who kills an individual without
     lawful justification commits voluntary manslaughter if at the
     time of the killing he is acting under a sudden and intense
     passion resulting from serious provocation by:
            (1)  the individual killed; or
            (2)  another whom the actor endeavors to kill, but he
        negligently or accidentally causes the death of the
        individual killed.
        (b)  Unreasonable belief killing justifiable.--A person who
     intentionally or knowingly kills an individual commits voluntary
     manslaughter if at the time of the killing he believes the
     circumstances to be such that, if they existed, would justify
     the killing under Chapter 5 of this title (relating to general
     principles of justification), but his belief is unreasonable.
        (c)  Grading.--Voluntary manslaughter is a felony of the
     first degree.
     (Nov. 17, 1995, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1144, No.36, eff. 60 days)

        1995 Amendment.  Act 36, 1st Sp.Sess., amended subsec. (c).
        Cross References.  Section 2503 is referred to in sections
     5708, 6105 of this title; sections 1515, 9711, 9802 of Title 42
     (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Last modified: November 27, 2007