19.2-221 - Form of prosecutions generally; murder and manslaughter. - Virginia Statutes

§ 19.2-221. Form of prosecutions generally; murder and manslaughter.

The prosecutions for offenses against the Commonwealth, unless otherwiseprovided, shall be by presentment, indictment or information. While any formof presentment, indictment or information which informs the accused of thenature and cause of the accusation against him shall be good the followingshall be deemed sufficient for murder and manslaughter:

Commonwealth of Virginia  .................... county (or city) to-wit: The
grand jurors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in and for the body of the
county (or city) of  .........., upon their oaths present that A  ..........
B  .........., on the  .......... day of  .........., 20  .........., in the
county (or city) of  .................... feloniously did kill and murder one
C  .......... D  .......... against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth.

A grand jury may, in case of homicide, which in their opinion amounts tomanslaughter only, and not to murder, find an indictment against the accusedfor manslaughter and in such case the indictment shall be sufficient if it bein form or effect as follows:

Commonwealth of Virginia  .................... county (or city) to-wit: The
grand jurors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in and for the body of the
county (or city) of  .........., upon their oaths present that A  .......... B
  .........., on the  .......... day of  .........., 20  .........., in the
county (or city) of  .................... feloniously and unlawfully did kill
and slay one C  .......... D  .........., against the peace and dignity of the
 Commonwealth. 

(Code 1950, § 19.1-166; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495.)