Penal Code
163
Exception 2—Culpable homicide is not murder if the offender, in
the exercise in good faith of the right of private defence of person or
property, exceeds the power given to him by law, and causes the death
of the person against whom he is exercising such right of defence,
without premeditation and without any intention of doing more harm
than is necessary for the purpose of such defence.
ILLUSTRATION
Z attempts to horsewhip A, not in such a manner as to cause grievous
hurt to A. A draws out a pistol. Z persists in the assault. A, believing in
good faith that he can by no other means prevent himself from being
horsewhipped, shoots Z dead. A has not committed murder, but only
culpable homicide.
Exception 3—Culpable homicide is not murder if the offender, being
a public servant, or aiding a public servant acting for the advancement
of public justice, exceeds the powers given to him by law, and causes
death by doing an act which he, in good faith, believes to be lawful and
necessary for the due discharge of his duty as such public servant, and
without ill will towards the person whose death is caused.
Exception 4—Culpable homicide is not murder if it is committed
without premeditation in a sudden fight in the heat of passion upon a
sudden quarrel, and without the offender having taken undue advantage
or acted in a cruel or unusual manner.
Explanation—It is immaterial in such cases which party offers the
provocation or commits the first assault.
Exception 5—Culpable homicide is not murder when the person whose
death is caused, being above the age of eighteen years, suffers death, or
takes the risk of death with his own consent.
ILLUSTRATION
A, by instigation, voluntarily causes Z, a person under eighteen years of
age, to commit suicide. Here, on account of Z’s youth, he was incapable
of giving consent to his own death. A has therefore abetted murder.
Culpable homicide by causing the death of a person other
than the person whose death was intended
301. If a person, by doing anything which he intends or knows
to be likely to cause death, commits culpable homicide by causing
the death of any person whose death he neither intends nor knows
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