2005 Missouri Revised Statutes - § 565.023. — Voluntary manslaughter, penalty--under influence of sudden passion, defendant\'s burden to inject.

565.023. 1. A person commits the crime of voluntary manslaughter if he:

(1) Causes the death of another person under circumstances that would constitute murder in the second degree under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 565.021, except that he caused the death under the influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause; or

(2) Knowingly assists another in the commission of self-murder.

2. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section.

3. Voluntary manslaughter is a class B felony.

(L. 1983 S.B. 276, A.L. 1984 S.B. 448 § A)

Effective 10-1-84