Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 507
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 507.050 (2026)

Reckless homicide

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of reckless homicide when, with recklessness he causes the death of another person.

(2) Reckless homicide is a Class D felony. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 64, effective January 1, 1975.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 63 cases (17 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: Lofthouse v. Commonwealth, 13 S.W.3d 236 (Ky. 2000).
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Lofthouse v. Commonwealth, 13 S.W.3d 236 (Ky. 2000). · cites it 16× “Following a trial by jury, Appellant was convicted of reckless homicide, KRS 507.050, and of two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, KRS 218A.”
Commonwealth v. Hasch, 421 S.W.3d 349 (Ky. 2013). · cites it 5× “040); and reckless homicide (KRS 507.050). Within the self-protection instruction, the trial court provided the jury with the following “no duty to retreat” instruction, based upon KRS 503.”
Baker v. Commonwealth, 677 S.W.2d 876 (Ky. 1984). · cites it 6× “030(4), General Principles of Liability, is stated in terms of failure to perceive "the result," the apparent conflict between this statute and KRS 507.050 is resolved by recognizing that "recklessness" in KRS 507.”
Tharp v. Commonwealth, 40 S.W.3d 356 (Ky. 2000). · cites it 4× “020(4), supporting a conviction of reckless homicide by complicity, KRS 507.050; wantonness, i.e., an awareness of and conscious disregard of a substantial and unjustifiable risk of that result, KRS 501.”
Ratliff v. Commonwealth, 194 S.W.3d 258 (Ky. 2006). · cites it 2× “040(1), and reckless homicide, KRS 507.050(1), as alternative or lesser-ineluded offenses of intentional murder; and criminal abuse in the third-degree, KRS 508.”
Hudson v. Commonwealth, 385 S.W.3d 411 (Ky. 2012). · cites it 4× “040), and reckless homicide (KRS 507.050) statutes. Harper v. Commonwealth, 43 S.”
Saylor v. Commonwealth, 144 S.W.3d 812 (Ky. 2004). · cites it 3× “Similarly, there are two theories under which a defendant can be convicted of reckless homicide: (1) the defendant acted without an intent to kill but failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his actions would result in the victim’s death, KRS 507.050(1); KRS…”
Commonwealth v. Hager, 41 S.W.3d 828 (Ky. 2001). · cites it 2× “040, and reckless homicide, KRS 507.050. However, the instructions in this case contain a number of other errors, all of which will be addressed in this opinion.”
Osborne v. Commonwealth, 43 S.W.3d 234 (Ky. 2001). · cites it 2× “020(1)(a) and (b), and on second-degree manslaughter, KRS 507.040, as a lesser included offense.”
Posey v. Commonwealth, 185 S.W.3d 170 (Ky. 2006). · cites it 2× “855, gambling, KRS 528.040, false purchase price information or value on deeds, KRS 387.”
Anthony Sturgeon v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 521 S.W.3d 189 (Ky. 2017). “” By definition, a person acts with recklessness with respect to another person’s death when he “fails to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk” that his conduct could result in the death of another person and such failure constitutes “a gross deviation from the standard…”
Ricky Jones v. United States, 689 F.3d 621 (6th Cir. 2012). “” Ky. Rev. Stat. § 507.050(1). When a crime requires only the mens rea of recklessness, it cannot qualify under the “use of physical force” subsection of the ACCA.”
Show all 63 citing cases →
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 507.050(1) — 22 cases
Ratliff v. Commonwealth, 194 S.W.3d 258 (Ky. 2006). “040(1), and reckless homicide, KRS 507.050(1), as alternative or lesser-ineluded offenses of intentional murder; and criminal abuse in the third-degree, KRS 508.”
Saylor v. Commonwealth, 144 S.W.3d 812 (Ky. 2004). “Similarly, there are two theories under which a defendant can be convicted of reckless homicide: (1) the defendant acted without an intent to kill but failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his actions would result in the victim’s death, KRS 507.050(1); KRS…”
Commonwealth v. Hasch, 421 S.W.3d 349 (Ky. 2013). “040); and reckless homicide (KRS 507.050). Within the self-protection instruction, the trial court provided the jury with the following “no duty to retreat” instruction, based upon KRS 503.”
Posey v. Commonwealth, 185 S.W.3d 170 (Ky. 2006). “855, gambling, KRS 528.040, false purchase price information or value on deeds, KRS 387.”
Anthony Sturgeon v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 521 S.W.3d 189 (Ky. 2017). “” By definition, a person acts with recklessness with respect to another person’s death when he “fails to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk” that his conduct could result in the death of another person and such failure constitutes “a gross deviation from the standard…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 507.050(2) — 2 cases
Commonwealth v. Hasch, 421 S.W.3d 349 (Ky. 2013). “040); and reckless homicide (KRS 507.050). Within the self-protection instruction, the trial court provided the jury with the following “no duty to retreat” instruction, based upon KRS 503.”
Williams v. Jamison (W.D. Ky. 2024).
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