What the difference between Murder and Manslaughter?

All the answers I have read so far are not accurate. The laws vary from state to state, but I do not think they all vary too much from Oklahoma law, which I will outline here. First Degree Murder in Oklahoma: 1. Includes Malice Aforethought. This is murder with the intent to kill. 2. Felony Murder. A death that occurs during the commission of certain enumerated felonies, EVEN IF AN ACCIDENT. Some answerers to the question said that murder always requires intent and that is not true. In Oklahoma if a defendant is eluding the police--running from them in a high speed chase--and have an ACCIDENT where a person in the other car is killed, the defendant can be convicted of first degree murder. 3. Death of a Child - A defendant that uses UNREASONABLE FORCE against a child that results in the child’s death--even without intent to kill--can be convicted of First Degree Murder Second Degree Murder in Oklahoma 1. When perpetrated by an act imminently dangerous to another person and evincing a depraved mind. This does not require an intent to kill. 2. Felony Murder - When a death results during the commission of any other felony which is not enumerated for First Degree Murder. Manslaughter First Degree in Oklahoma 1. Misdemeanor Manslaughter - a death that results during the commission of a misdemeanor. The perfect example of this is a case I handled recently. Two guys get in a fist fight. One guy hits the other guy--misdemeanor battery--the guy falls down, hit is head on the street and dies from the head injury from hitting his head. 2. Heat of Passion - This requires an intent to kill. That is why I had a problem with some of the other answers that said manslaughter is an accidental killing. A killing that is done in the heat of passion is an intentional killing but because of some provocation, it does not rise to the level of murder. The example of this is a guy catches another guy in bed with his wife, so he kills the guy "in the heat of passion" 3. Resisting a Crime - This also requires and intent to kill. This is the unjustified killing of a criminal. An example of this is a guy that has no weapon and is not threatening the defendant is trying to break into the defendant’s car. The defendant goes out and shoots and kills the guy trying to break into his car. Second Degree Manslaughter in Oklahoma This is a killing resulting from negligence that does not rise to the level of First Degree Manslaughter or Murder.

Murder is done with intent, although in different degrees. Manslaughter is usually death by accidental means.

Well, this question has already been properly answered by the first answer our "trooper", but I thought I would answer it in my own words. I think that murder is like a serial killer or a person who deliberately kills a person out of hate and coldness and manslaughter is when an accident happens and a person gets killed but there was no intent to kill the person it was just a freak accident. Like when it gets dark and some kids and teenagers keep riding their bikes and a person does not easily see the bikes or teens and they could accidentally kill one with a car.

Murder is generally termed 'malice aforethought', that means the intent to commit murder. Manslaughter there is no intent and may involve negligence. Not all states have murder and manslaughter. Some have murder 1st, 2nd, 3rd which generally means for 1st, there is forethought, 2nd it was done in hotblood and 3rd it was an accident involving negligence

Manslaughter is an accident. Murder isn't.