LESSER TERM SOUGHT FOR AU PAIR; JUDGE WILL USE INTERNET TO ISSUE RULING IN INFANT MURDER CASE.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. With protesters outside holding up signs such as ``IQ Tests for Jurors,'' Louise Woodward's lawyers acknowledged Tuesday that their all-or-nothing strategy ``can be seen as a mistake'' and asked a judge to reduce the English au pair's murder conviction to manslaughter manslaughter, homicide committed without justification or excuse but distinguished from murder by the absence of the element of malice aforethought. Modern criminal statutes usually divide it into degrees, the most common distinction being between voluntary and . Millions watched on television - among them Woodward from her prison cell - as the defense focused on getting the verdict down to the very charge her lawyers fought to keep the jury from even considering. Superior Court Judge Hiller Zobel said he could rule as early as today, adding that he will take the extraordinary step of issuing the decision on the Internet through media and legal Web sites. During Tuesday's hearing, defense attorney Harvey Silverglate said the strategic decision to let the jury consider only first- or second-degree murder in the death of 8-month-old Matthew Eappen now ``can be seen as a mistake.'' In hindsight, he said, ``by any definition, the evidence in this case could fit into manslaughter.'' But prosecutors said Woodward and her lawyers are just shopping around for a better deal and should not be allowed a reduced charge 1. The smaller of the two propelling charges available for naval guns. 2. Charge employing a reduced amount of propellant to fire a gun at short ranges as compared to a normal charge. See also normal charge. unless she admits what she did. A jury found Woodward, 19, guilty of second-degree murder Thursday, determining she fatally fa·tal·ly adv. 1. So as to cause death; mortally: fatally injured. 2. So as to result in disaster or ruin. 3. According to the decree of fate; inevitably. Adv. 1. shook and slammed Matthew on Feb. 4, the day she called 911 to say the child was having trouble breathing. He died five days later. Woodward, a round-faced young woman from the English village English Villages are language teaching institutions which aim to create a language immersion environment for students of English in their own country. The concept is run as a commercial venture in Spain and Italy. The one in Korea is quasi-governmental (see below). of Elton, denied hurting the boy. The judge can declare Woodward not guilty, overturn the verdict and order a new trial, reduce the conviction or uphold the verdict. Second-degree murder, defined as intentionally killing another person with malice malice, in law, an intentional violation of the law of crimes or torts that injures another person. Malice need not involve a malignant spirit or the definite intent to do harm. , carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole parole (pərōl`), in criminal law, release from prison of a convict before the expiration of his term on condition that his activities be restricted and that he report regularly to an officer. after 15 years. Manslaughter, defined as causing a death by a reckless action that showed disregard for life, is punishable by up to 20 years, but there is no minimum sentence; Woodward could be released from prison immediately. |
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