An interesting case has been making national news headlines regarding a man’s suicide and whether his girlfriend should be held culpable. The boyfriend, who was 18 years old when he died, had planned out his suicide and was texting and talking on the phone with his girlfriend the whole time. It was even reported that when he thought the carbon monoxide was working, she directed him to get back in the car. Her defense team argued that the texts and calls were protected speech and even though she admitted to feeling like it was her fault in messages to other friends, she did not make her boyfriend kill himself. A judge, however, disagreed and now the woman is facing a sentence to prison. In Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, and across Colorado, it is considered Manslaughter to aid a person in committing suicide.

 

Douglas County, Colorado Manslaughter Attorney: What is the Definition of Manslaughter?

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Manslaughter – C.R.S. 18-3-104 – is:

 

“

A person commits the crime of manslaughter if:

(a) Such person recklessly causes the death of another person; or

(b) Such person intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide.

So, by encouraging her boyfriend to get back in the car that was filling with carbon monoxide, it could be argued that she aided him in his suicide. Recently, there have been cases where people who were accused of bullying someone who committed suicide were charged with Manslaughter for allegedly causing the suicide. While it is understandable that a bereaved family member wants to hold someone responsible when a loved one passes away, isn’t the person who took their own life ultimately responsible for their actions? Allowing or encouraging someone to take their own life is a risky thing to criminalize. At what point is the encouragement so strong that it should be charged? Should a person in Castle Rock be charged if they told a terminally ill brain cancer victim to take a pill?

 

What is the Potential Sentence for Encouraging Suicide Manslaughter in Highlands Ranch?

As a class 4 felony, Manslaughter is punishable by 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $500,000 in fines. Our attorneys work hard to present the full picture of who you are to the prosecutors on your case and tell your story to the court. 

 

If you have been charged with Manslaughter, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Castle Rock Manslaughter attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950 for a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Source: Pexels-Kaboompics