How is "manslaughter" defined in Missouri statutes?

The definition of "manslaughter" in Missouri statutes emphasizes the aspect of an unlawful killing that occurs without malice aforethought. This means that manslaughter involves a scenario where a person causes the death of another, but it lacks the intent to kill that characterizes more serious offenses like murder. Instead, manslaughter can arise from reckless behavior or circumstances that do not meet the thresholds set for murder, illustrating the legal distinction between different levels of homicide.

In contrast, the other choices reflect different concepts. The intentional killing of another human being describes murder rather than manslaughter due to the presence of intent. The accidental killing with intent does not align with the understanding of manslaughter, as intent typically refers to purposeful actions, not accidents. Finally, a lawful killing in self-defense is generally considered justifiable and would not fit under the definition of manslaughter since it involves legal protection rather than unlawful conduct. This clarification helps to solidify the understanding of manslaughter within Missouri criminal law as a critical aspect of homicide classifications.