capital murder
Death-penalty eligible homicide
Capital murder is a category of murder that qualifies for the death penalty under a jurisdiction's laws.
What elevates a killing to capital murder varies by state but typically includes murders committed during other felonies, murders of police officers, multiple murders, or murders involving particular cruelty: He was charged with capital murder for the killing of a federal agent.
In states without the death penalty, the term may still designate the most serious category of homicide, carrying life imprisonment.
- death penaltyLegal execution for crimes
- malice aforethoughtPrior intent to harm
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- sentencing phaseCourt proceeding determining punishment
- executionCompleting a planned task
felony · mens rea · mitigating circumstances · homicide · aggravating factors · premeditation · aggravated · victim · killer · death warrant · criminal · cop-killer · life imprisonment · life without parole · guilty · first-degree · deliberate · cold blood
capital murderinvoluntary manslaughter
Unintentional unlawful killing
manslaughter · negligent homicide · justifiable homicide · vehicular manslaughter · accidental death
capital murderjustifiable homicide
Legally sanctioned taking of life
self-defense killing · accidental killing · natural death · mercy killing · euthanasia
capital murderlifesaving
Preserving human existence
rescue · resuscitation · life preservation · medical intervention · heroic act
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