Legal Definitions - fratricide

Fratricide is the act of killing one's own brother or sister. The term can also refer to the person who commits such a killing.

Fratricide refers to:

• The act of killing one's own brother or sister.
• The person who commits such an act.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of fratricide:

• Example 1: During a heated argument over a family inheritance, an older brother fatally assaults his younger brother.

  Explanation: This scenario exemplifies fratricide because one brother directly causes the death of his sibling.

• Example 2: A young woman, suffering from severe mental illness, tragically takes the life of her twin sister during a psychotic episode.

  Explanation: This demonstrates fratricide as it involves one sister killing her sibling, regardless of the perpetrator's mental state or specific intent.

• Example 3: In a fictional historical drama, a prince secretly arranges for the poisoning of his half-brother, who was a rival claimant to the throne.

  Explanation: This illustrates fratricide through the act of one sibling causing the death of another, even if indirectly, to eliminate a threat or gain power.