“is in the same category as murder.”
wrong:
The prescribed penalty is not the only dimension in which sins are categorized.
With Murder there is a much greater obligation for Bais Din to prevent and investigate. The Mitzvah of “Egla Arufa” teaches this.
With Murder there is a penalty of Exile (until the High priest dies) for non intentional violations. With other sins a sacrifice of a lamb or kid will suffice.