Court Opinion

ID: 9851166
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 05:08:26.16297+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:50.373535
License: Public Domain

HALL, Chief Justice
(concurring):
The facts of this case amply support the conviction of manslaughter, which is punishable as a felony: However, I am constrained to join the Court in overturning the sentence imposed because the Legislature has not seen fit to make any distinction between the elements of the offense of manslaughter and the offense of negligent homicide, punishable as a misdemeanor under the motor vehicle code.
The lack of distinction between the two statutes compels this Court to reach a result that does not adequately punish the offender. Further, the result, while necessary under the law, does not meet what appears to have been the legislative intent in enacting the manslaughter statute. In any event, the lack of any distinction between the two statutes is intolerable and is deserving of prompt legislative action.
BALLIF, District Judge, concurs in the concurring opinion of HALL, C.J.
ZIMMERMAN, J., does not participate herein; GEORGE E. BALLIF, District Judge, sat.