Voluntary Manslaughter

Howard County police officers who fatally shot 25-year-old Alexander LaMorie, a man with autism, will not face charges, according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. The AG's office found insufficient evidence to support criminal charges, including violations of Maryland's use of force statute, voluntary manslaughter, or second-degree murder, after reviewing body camera footage showing LaMorie carrying a knife and approaching officers.

Courtney Samplatsky, arrested in 2022 for second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Sincere Johnson in Rutland, has agreed to a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. She will serve 10 years in prison under a 15-25 year sentence, with a plea hearing scheduled for July 31. Her husband, Michael O’Brien, initially charged in the case, had his charges dropped due to insufficient evidence.

A Vermont woman was charged with voluntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment after her pit bull killed her 78-year-old father, who had dementia. The dog, which had a history of attacking two other people, mauled the victim at his daughter’s home, leading to its euthanasia. The case is being treated as a rare criminal matter due to the dog’s prior violent behavior and the owner’s alleged negligence.

A man and woman from Rosebud, South Dakota, were sentenced to federal prison for voluntary manslaughter following their convictions. U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte oversaw the sentencing, announced by U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons.