Manslaughter is not on the table. Texas doesn't have what some state do, 1st degree and 2nd degree murder or some call it aggravated murder.
Texas has capital murder and murder. He was found guilty of Murder since none of the additional circumstances elevates it to capital murder. It is equivalent to 2nd degree murder elsewhere, but the jury can decide it was a murder of sudden passion. That lowers punishment from a first degree felony with 5-99 years to a second degree felony with 2-20 years.
The jury was instructed on the laws for sudden passion. They decide whether it was a 1st or 2nd degree felony and the time that should be awarded.
Manslaughter is not on the table. Texas doesn't have what some state do, 1st degree and 2nd degree murder or some call it aggravated murder.
Texas has capital murder and murder. He was found guilty of Murder since none of the additional circumstances elevates it to capital murder. It is equivalent to 2nd degree murder elsewhere, but the jury can decide it was a murder of sudden passion. That lowers punishment from a first degree felony with 5-99 years to a second degree felony with 2-20 years.
The jury was instructed on the laws for sudden passion. They decide whether it was a 1st or 2nd degree felony and the time that should be awarded.