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Prosecuting Homicide

Murder and manslaughter are two of the offences that constitute homicide.

Manslaughter can be committed in one of three ways:

  1. killing with the intent for murder but where there is provocation, diminished responsibility or a suicide pact.
  2. conduct that was grossly negligent given the risk of death, and resulted in death.
  3. conduct, taking the form of an unlawful act involving a danger of some harm, that caused death.

With some exceptions, the crime of murder is committed, where a person:

  • of sound mind and discretion (i.e. sane):
  • unlawfully kills (i.e. not self-defence or other justified killing)
  • any reasonable creature (human being)
  • in being (born alive and breathing through its own lungs)
  • under the Queen's Peace
  • with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

There are other specific homicide offences, for example, infanticide, causing death by dangerous driving, and corporate manslaughter.

Find out more about prosecuting homicide

Men sentenced for shooting at Notting Hill Carnival 2004

13/12/2006

A further three men have been sentenced at the Old Bailey today to life imprisonment for the murder of Marc Subaran at the Notting Hill Carnival on 30 August 2004.

Lloywen Carty, 29, Conroy Smith, 26, and Jermaine Labastide, 28, were found guilty on 12 December 2006. They were given life sentences with a direction that they serve a minimum of 30 years. At an earlier trial last year Tafari Dacas, Leon Roberts and Shane Taylor had already been given life sentences for the shooting.

"This has been a very difficult time for the witnesses and the friends and family of Mr Subaran," said Moya Reed, the reviewing lawyer from CPS London's Old Bailey Unit.

"Small communities affected by gun crime which often involve disputes over drugs or disrespect need to be strong. We need witnesses to come forward and be ready to give evidence. We can offer them special measures at court so that it makes their experience less traumatic.

"If we are ever to help communities rid themselves of the blight which is ruining their own and countless other lives, we must encourage intimidated and vulnerable witnesses to come forward and report crime knowing the treatment they will receive at court will help improve the quality of their evidence."

For media enquiries please contact Paul Hayward 020 7796 8041 or CPS HQ Press Office on 020 7796 8127.