[RunItUpTheGut]

Let me correct this a little, if you thought out or planed the murder yes you should get death, but if it was in self defense that is a little different circumstances. Cold blooded murder is what I'm talking about. With all the resources today the appeal process shouldn't take as long as it does

If the prosecution can prove premeditated, youre done in every state. Either life without parole or death, except for some rare circumstances.

Its sad, but there are several different types of murder charges, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but also manslaughter and involuntary/reckless homicide. the wide range of the list always has different mandatory sentences.

1st degree - pre meditated or killing by means of poison, or by lying in wait, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate and premeditated action.

2nd degree - is a homicide committed by an individual engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony.

3rd degree - Any other murder (e.g. when the intent was not to kill, but to harm the victim/for example street fight).

1st degree manslaughter- is when someone goes in with the intent to harm someone or cause damage and ends up killing someone. (Pretty much going to far in a fight when that last punch kills the guy) OR when you go in with the intent to kill someone, and end up killing a third person as well or by themselves. (Like you go into beat the crap out of your wifes boyfriend and end up knocking your wife over dead) Ive never understood why states doesn't use a lesser degree murder charge for this. More or less the same thing.

2nd degree manslaughter- is your DUI wrecks that you cause that kill someone else, or ALSO leaving your kid in a hot car and it dying. Usually never gets you life, but you might as well have it as long as they'll put you away for.

3rd degree manslaughter (actually called reckless homicide)- Lets say you go to do a drive by of Granny Bears rival gang and you shoot but miss and the bullet ricochets into another home killing someone unintentionally. this is the charge you usually see.

With all of this said, each charge is a different level class of felony.

You have capital offenses in KY, (all murder chargers are capital) and the judge only has four options to charge you with. Death. LWOP. 25 to life, or 20-50 years with possibility of parole. (I guess this is why the lesser manslaughter charges exist for certain circumstances.)

Then you have a class A felony which is punishable by 20 to 50 years in prison, or life imprisonment. (These usually includes you molesters)

Then you have class B felony which is Class B felonies in Kentucky are punishable by ten to 20 years’ imprisonment. (Example here would be Granny came over to shoot me dead but was a bad shot and I ended up living)

Then you have class C felony which can result in a prison term of five to ten years. (You rob a store and get away with 10,000 or more in cash, or steal 10,000 or more worth of valuables. note: being armed brings on a whole new set of felonies) This can include the white collar crimes.

Then you have class D felony which is punishable by one to five years in prison. (Dealing dope near schools, etc.)

Also note, anytime your convicted of a felony, you will be fined thousands.


Every person in each state should know there laws, and it should be taught in school what can happen if you get caught doing them.

Im glad I got bored with the ideal law school and went the business route. The laws on the books are more of an entangled web than the internet.