Legal Definitions - first degree murder

First degree murder, specifically focusing on premeditated intent to kill, refers to the intentional killing of another person where the perpetrator planned or thought about the act beforehand. It is not a spur-of-the-moment decision but rather a deliberate act, indicating that the person had time to consider their actions and still chose to proceed with the killing. This element of "premeditation" means the killer formed the intent to kill and reflected on it, even for a brief period, before carrying out the act. The exact definition can vary slightly by state, but the core idea involves a willful and deliberate decision to take a life.

Here are some examples to illustrate first degree murder:

• Example 1: Calculated Revenge

  A person, angry about being fired, spends a week researching their former boss's daily routine, purchases a specific type of firearm, and then waits outside the boss's home one evening to ambush and kill them.

  How it illustrates the term: The week of research, the specific purchase of a weapon, and the planned ambush all demonstrate a clear period of planning and deliberation. This shows the intent to kill was formed and considered well in advance of the act, rather than being a sudden impulse.

• Example 2: Deliberation During an Altercation

  During a heated argument, one individual storms out of the room, goes to their garage to retrieve a hidden knife, returns to the argument, and then fatally stabs the other person.

  How it illustrates the term: The act of leaving the argument, going to the garage, and returning with a weapon indicates a break in the immediate impulse. This pause, however brief, allows for reflection and the formation of a deliberate intent to kill, distinguishing it from a purely spontaneous act of violence.

• Example 3: Premeditated Cover-Up

  A person discovers their business partner has been embezzling funds. Instead of confronting them or going to the authorities, the person meticulously plans an "accident" for their partner, tampering with their car's brakes over several days, leading to a fatal crash.

  How it illustrates the term: The systematic tampering with the car over multiple days, designed to look like an accident, clearly shows a calculated and premeditated intent to kill. The perpetrator had ample time to deliberate and execute their plan, demonstrating a willful and deliberate act to eliminate the partner.