malice aforethought

The requisite mental state for common-law murder, encompassing any one of the following: (1) the intent to kill, (2) the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, (3) extremely reckless indifference to the value of human life (the so-called abandoned and malignant heart), or (4) the intent to commit a dangerous felony (which leads to culpability under the felony-murder rule).

— Also termed premeditated malice; preconceived malice; malice prepense; malitia praecogitata. [Cases: Homicide 529, 541, 546.]

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词条贡献者

双语律师Terence，国际知名法学院法律专业，擅长翻译各类与油气、资源与采矿业相关的法律文件。