A husband who kills his wife’s best friend in a fit of rage is likely to be charged with what crime?

The scenario describes a situation where a husband kills his wife’s best friend as a result of a sudden emotional disturbance—specifically, a fit of rage. This impulsive and emotional reaction typically aligns with the legal definition of voluntary manslaughter. In many jurisdictions, voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person intentionally kills another in the heat of passion, often triggered by provocation.

In this case, the husband’s rage likely stems from a strong emotional response to a provoking incident, which can mitigate the charge from murder to manslaughter. This distinction is critical because voluntary manslaughter acknowledges the presence of intent to kill, but it also understands the emotional state that influenced that decision, thus making it less culpable than murder committed with premeditation or malice aforethought.

On the other hand, first-degree murder involves a premeditated intention to kill, which is not present here as the act was impulsive and driven by immediate emotional provocation. Second-degree murder, while it also involves intent, does not require the emotional disturbance that voluntary manslaughter does; it's characterized by a depraved heart or a wanton disregard for human life. Involuntary manslaughter typically pertains to unintentional killings that result from reckless or