[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Was manslaughter one of their options on the table? Or was 2nd degree the only option?

I thought he'd get manslaughter, for sure. Although, someone was telling me that in FL, the sentencing for manslaughter is worse than it is for 2nd degree...which makes no sense.

Wikipedia makes it sound like the sentencing is worse for manslaughter, but a Florida lawyer's website lists this:

Manslaughter with a Weapon or Firearm

The crime of Manslaughter with a Weapon or Firearm is classified as a First Degree Felony and is assigned a Level 7 offense severity ranking under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code.
If convicted of Manslaughter, a judge is required to impose a minimum prison sentence of 9¼ years in prison and can impose any additional combination of the following penalties:
Up to 30 years in prison.
Up to 30 years of probation.
Up to $10,000 in fines.

The crime of Second Degree Murder is classified as a First Degree Felony and is assigned a Level 10 offense severity ranking under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code.
If convicted of Second Degree Murder, a judge is required to impose a minimum prison sentence of 16¾ years in prison and can impose any additional combination of the following penalties:
Up to Life in prison.
Up to Life on probation.
Up to $10,000 in fines.
10-20-Life

Under Florida's 10-20-Life law, a person who uses a Firearm to commit Second Degree Murder must be sentenced to a minimum-mandatory prison sentence of 25 years. [1]