---
title: "Murder"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/murder
---

# Murder

Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. At common law, malice aforethought includes intent to kill, intent to inflict serious bodily harm, depraved-heart murder (extreme recklessness showing indifference to human life), and felony murder (a killing during the commission of a dangerous felony). The Model Penal Code classifies murder as a killing committed purposely or knowingly, or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.

## Related Terms

- manslaughter
- felony-murder-rule
- mens-rea

## Related Cases

- commonwealth-v-malone
- midgett-v-state
- state-v-guthrie
- people-v-eulo

## Example

A defendant plays Russian roulette with an unwilling participant who dies. The extreme recklessness constitutes depraved-heart murder even without an intent to kill.

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Source: [Murder — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/murder)