Article 538 — Principle.

(1) Whoever causes the death of a human being intentionally or by negligence, no matter what the weapon or means used, commits homicide. (2) The punishment to be imposed upon the person who is guilty of intentional or negligent homicide shall be determined according to the following provisions depending on whether the homicide is simple or aggravated. (3) Any person who committed homicide, whether intentionally or negligently, shall be punished by lawful judicial process and in accordance with decisions rendered thereby.