If you killed a man by accident in an automobile accident, to continue your what-if, it might be considered vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide, depending on the circumstances and the state you're in. If you were driving drunk or recklessly, or in a stolen vehicle, you're more likely to be charged. Otherwise, if you're just in an accident and someone dies, no real crime has been committed. Accidents do happen.
Also, there are different degrees of murder, and special circumstances have to be present for a premeditated (or first-degree) murder to be a possible capital offense. Special circumstances include multiple murders, another crime, murdering a police officer, and rape. Treason is another capital crime. In other words, you've got to seriously eff up before you're charged with a capital offense. |
