

I’ve also heard that in Alan Rickman’s final scene, the director called for the release of his harness early (as in hitting the quick release on the 1 of a 3-count). As a result, the look of fear on Alan Rickman’s face is genuine. From Rickman’s perspective, the stunt initiated unexpectedly.
If true, another bit of realism appears right there on Rickman’s shocked face.







1st degree doesn’t mean premeditated, it means to the highest degree. A murder charge typically implies premeditation whereas manslaughter implies recklessness.
1st degree manslaughter sounds right to me, killing someone accidentally through extreme recklessness in this case.