manslaughter
Loading your saved state.
manslaughter
In the legal sense, the intentional killing of a person that, however, does not meet the statutory criteria for murder (such as treachery or greed). It is often an act committed in the heat of the moment.
Er wurde wegen Totschlags zu einer langjährigen Haftstrafe verurteilt.
He was sentenced to many years in prison for manslaughter.
The word 'Totschlag' (manslaughter) is composed of the words 'Tod' (death) and 'Schlag' (blow). So it literally describes an action that leads to death, like a 'Todesschlag' (fatal blow).
Die Anklage lautete auf versuchten Totschlag.
The charge was attempted manslaughter.
'Totschlag' (manslaughter) is a specific term from criminal law. It is used to distinguish an intentional killing from the legal offense of murder.
Das Gericht muss prüfen, ob es sich um Mord oder Totschlag handelt.
The court must determine whether it is murder or manslaughter.
In a legal context, there are fixed phrases such as 'jemanden wegen Totschlags anklagen' (to charge someone with manslaughter) or 'wegen Totschlags verurteilt werden' (to be convicted of manslaughter). The motive is also often mentioned, for example 'Totschlag im Affekt' (manslaughter in the heat of the moment).
Der Angeklagte wurde wegen Totschlags angeklagt, nicht wegen Mordes.
The defendant was charged with manslaughter, not murder.
murder
Both words refer to an intentional and unlawful killing. „Mord“ applies when the statutory criteria for murder, such as treachery or greed, are present; „Totschlag“ refers to intentional killing without those criteria. The specific classification therefore depends on the circumstances of the act.
Nach dem Streit wurde die vorsätzliche Tötung als Totschlag bezeichnet.
After the argument, the intentional killing was classified as manslaughter.
Wegen der Heimtücke wurde die Tat als Mord bezeichnet.
Because of the treachery, the act was classified as murder.
