The police said Ms. Whitley faces more severe charges now that the child has died.

In his trial, he is forced to endure a severe electrical charge.

"It makes sense to go with the more severe charge."

He said also that the proposal might encourage law enforcement officials to impose more severe charges "as an excuse to get fingerprints."

Then there is the less severe charge of second-degree manslaughter.

But police officers can be dismissed only if severe disciplinary charges are proven against them.

They are awaiting autopsy results to determine whether the men accused in the attack could face more severe charges.

The most severe charge, grand larceny, carries up to a 25-year sentence.

British law does not permit a civil case of murder so the most severe charge available to the Lawrences would be assault and battery.

More to the point, if that comes to pass, he could also expect to face severe criminal charges.