Which scenario best represents voluntary manslaughter?

Voluntary manslaughter is defined as the intentional killing of another person that occurs in the heat of passion, typically as a result of provocation. In the scenario where a death occurs during a sudden fight after provocation, the key element is that the act was not premeditated; rather, it was a spontaneous reaction to the provoking situation. This aligns with the legal concept of voluntary manslaughter, which acknowledges that while the act is intentional, it was committed under circumstances that can mitigate the culpability of the offender, such as extreme emotional disturbance caused by the provocation.

The other scenarios do not fit the definition of voluntary manslaughter in the same way. Killing someone in self-defense is typically classified as justified and would not be considered manslaughter. Committing murder after careful planning implies premeditation, which distinguishes it as murder rather than manslaughter. Causing death while intoxicated may involve negligence or recklessness, but it does not meet the emotional and situational criteria that define voluntary manslaughter. Therefore, the scenario involving sudden provocation most accurately represents voluntary manslaughter.