Murder / Manslaughter

Criminal Homicide Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with murder, you will be battling not just in a court of law, but also in the court of public opinion.

I'm John Walkley, a criminal homicide defense lawyer in Monroe, Connecticut, serving people in New Haven by appointment. I have tried more death penalty murder cases to verdict than any other private lawyer in Connecticut. In each of the death-penalty cases I handled, I was appointed by request of the public defender due to my extensive experience in criminal trial work. I also handle murder and manslaughter cases for clients who retain private counsel.

Manslaughter (also called involuntary manslaughter) is a murder that occurs in the heat of passion, under the influence of drugs, or as the result of a reckless act. Manslaughter removes the element of intent. The person charged with manslaughter intended to do something, but they didn't intend to kill the person. If someone intended to kill someone, then they are charged with first-degree murder.

There are several defenses in a murder case. Self defense is a good defense. Someone could also commit murder under duress or due to mental disease or defect (the insanity defense). Another defense is that the crime was committed by someone else. The state has to prove that you committed the crime.

Murder cases are never pretty. One of the cases I handled involved the murder of an eight-year-old boy and his mother in Bridgeport. The crime was on the front page of the local newspaper from the day the crime occurred until the trial. Dealing with adverse publicity and knowing when a case should be moved to another court in Connecticut are two of the things a homicide defense lawyer needs to be concerned about.

For a free initial consultation, contact criminal homicide defense lawyer John Walkley.