Why would someone face 2nd and 3rd degree murder, and manslaughter for the same killing?
<p>A judge just dropped the 3rd degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin.  He still faces a 2nd degree murder charge and a manslaughter charge.  This doesn't make sense to me.  How can someone face multiple homicide charges for the same killing?</p>

<p>The concept is known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_included_offense" rel="noreferrer">lesser included offense</a>. The prosecution believed that they have a chance to prove murder, so they charged murder, but they understood that the judge and jury might not convict on murder. So they said in effect, &quot;and if you won't find him guilty of murder, <em>at least</em> convict for manslaughter.&quot;</p>

united-states murder