re: #129 gwangung

I am not certain that the Dallas definition of “murder” excludes this situation. The officer most certainly intended to shoot (and to kill) when she pulled the trigger. The trigger was not pulled by mistake or through carelessness.

Murder, typically, requires premeditation. Manslaughter requires “heat of passion”. I’m not sure what Texas law is on premeditation, but from the facts we’ve heard thus far, manslaughter (a) seems like the correct charge; and (b) would be easier to prove.

That said, I am not now, nor have I ever been, a criminal law attorney. My practice always stuck to the civil side.