Changes to murder law

[29 July 2008]

People who murder after suffering domestic abuse could now be convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

These new government proposals for England and Wales would mean that defendants would have to convince a court that they were 'seriously wronged' by the victim. The proposals make it clear that a defence of 'words and conduct' leaving the killer 'seriously wronged' should only be available in exceptional circumstances. For example, a person who discovered their partner had been having an affair would not be able to argue that they had been seriously wronged.

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