Individualized Defense from a National Criminal Defense College Graduate
Law Office of Joseph A. Fanduzz represents people investigated for or charged with manslaughter in the Knoxville area. Attorney Joseph Fanduzz has handled homicide matters in Knox County Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, and Federal Court. As a trial lawyer and graduate of the National Criminal Defense College, he prepares serious and complex criminal cases around the specific evidence and circumstances involved.
A manslaughter accusation can involve an investigation, arrest, indictment, bond conditions, and multiple court appearances. Early legal involvement gives us an opportunity to review statements, witness accounts, physical evidence, and digital evidence before critical decisions are made. Don’t discuss the facts with law enforcement or other parties without first obtaining legal advice.
We tailor each defense to the client because strong attorney-client relationships depend on open communication and accessible representation. We also defend clients against other violent crime allegations when a case involves related or alternative charges.
Call (865) 896-9971 to schedule a free initial consultation with our Knox County manslaughter attorney. We return phone calls 24/7.
Tennessee’s Voluntary Manslaughter Law
Tennessee Code § 39-13-211 defines voluntary manslaughter as the intentional or knowing killing of another person in a state of passion produced by adequate provocation. Adequate provocation means circumstances sufficient to cause a reasonable person to act irrationally. Tennessee classifies voluntary manslaughter as a Class B felony.
This current statutory definition differs from the older common-law description of manslaughter as a killing without “malice aforethought.” A voluntary manslaughter case may turn on the accused person’s mental state, what happened immediately before the death, and whether the alleged provocation meets Tennessee’s legal standard. The prosecution must prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Voluntary Manslaughter vs. Second-Degree Murder
Voluntary manslaughter and second-degree murder aren’t interchangeable charges. Second-degree murder is a Class A felony, while voluntary manslaughter is a Class B felony involving the statutory issues of passion and adequate provocation. We examine whether the evidence supports the prosecution’s chosen classification or raises issues under a different homicide statute.
Related Tennessee Homicide Charges
Tennessee law separately identifies voluntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, criminally negligent homicide, and vehicular homicide. Informal phrases such as “involuntary manslaughter,” “vehicular manslaughter,” or “accidental killing” don’t necessarily identify the offense filed in court.
Related classifications can include:
Reckless homicide: A separate offense based on allegations that reckless conduct caused another person’s death.
Criminally negligent homicide: A distinct charge involving criminal negligence rather than the intentional or knowing conduct required for voluntary manslaughter.
Vehicular homicide: A separate Tennessee offense that may arise when a death is connected to driving, alleged intoxication, or other statutorily identified conduct. Our firm also handles vehicular homicide charges.
Intoxication isn’t itself a type of manslaughter under Tennessee’s current statutory framework. The applicable charge depends on the alleged conduct, mental state, causation evidence, and circumstances surrounding the death.
Preparing a Manslaughter Defense in Knox County
Our approach begins with the actual charge and the evidence the state intends to use. We develop a personalized strategy for each case rather than treating every homicide accusation alike.
We can review witness accounts, recordings, digital communications, physical evidence, medical evidence, and statements attributed to the accused. Depending on the facts, disputed issues may include adequate provocation, accident, causation, self-defense, or whether the state can establish the required intentional or knowing mental state.
Pretrial motions can challenge unlawfully obtained statements or evidence. We assess the circumstances of searches, seizures, questioning, and identification procedures to determine whether constitutional issues should be raised before trial.
A homicide case may proceed through an initial appearance, preliminary hearing or indictment process, arraignment, pretrial litigation, plea discussions, and trial. We prepare for the stage at hand while considering how each decision may affect the defense as the case progresses.
Discuss Your Manslaughter Case with Our Firm
If you’re facing a manslaughter investigation or charge, contact our firm to discuss the allegations, immediate court obligations, and possible next steps.
An initial consultation gives you an opportunity to speak with our Knox County manslaughter lawyer. We can evaluate how Tennessee’s homicide statutes apply to the known facts and build a defense around the charge, evidence, and current stage of the case.
“Mr. Fanduzz is committed to nothing but the BEST outcome for his clients.”
Nearly two years ago, I was charged with DUI and Speeding. Due to my occupation, a conviction could be detrimental to my career. I contacted Mr. Fanduzz and he was able to have my case placed on Judicial Diversion, which required me to serve only one year supervised probation (reduced from two years) and court cost. I retained my drivers license and did not have to purchase expensive car insurance.
Unfortunately, while on probation, I was charged with two counts of assault and aggravated assault. Along with these new charges, I also faced violation of my probation and the original DUI. All charges were considered Felonies at this point. There was no hesitation in hiring him to represent me again. Mr. Fanduzz not only kept me well informed, he also skillfully and agressively argued on my behalf. He arranged for my probation and judicial diversion to be reinstated and the felony assault charges to be dismissed in exchange for a plea to a misdemeanor offence.
Needless to say, I highly recommend Mr. Fanduzz because of his attention to detail and commitment to have the BEST possible outcome for his clients.
NACDL
