Pennsylvania Crimes Code
Section 2503. Voluntary
Manslaughter.
(a) General rule - A person who
kills an individual
without lawful justification commits voluntary manslaughter
if at the time of the killing he is acting under a sudden
and intense passion resulting from serious provocation by:
(1) the individual killed; or
(2) another whom the actor endeavors to kill, but he
negligently or accidentally causes the death of the
individual killed.
(b) Unreasonable belief killing justifiable - A person
who intentionally or knowingly kills an individual commits
voluntary manslaughter if at the time of the killing he
believes the circumstances to be such that, if they
existed, would justify the killing under Chapter 5 of this
title (relating to general principles of justification),
but his belief is unreasonable.
(c) Grading - Voluntary manslaughter is a felony of the
first degree.
(Chgd. by L.1995, Spec. Sess. 1, Act 36(1), eff.
1/16/96.)