Manslaughter is less serious than murder. It is still an unlawful killing but it does not involve malice aforethought. Since the law recognizes that manslaughter is less morally reprehensible than murder, the punishments can be less severe. Voluntary manslaughter is also known as a "crime of passion" when the perpetrator commits the crime in some type of emotional rage. The defendant is usually a reasonable person in every other circumstance and did not plan to commit a killing. Involuntary manslaughter is when a death occurs as a direct result of someone's reckless behavior.