murder
Unlawful killing of one person by another. In the USA, first-degree murder requires proof of premeditation; second-degree murder falls between first-degree murder and manslaughter.
| If the killer can show provocation by the victim (action or words that would make a reasonable person lose self-control) or diminished responsibility (an abnormal state of mind caused by illness, injury, or mental subnormality), the charge may be reduced to a less serious one. See also assassination. |
| The US murder rate was at its lowest level for more than 30 years when in the first six months of 1999 it fell by 13% from the same period in 1998 to six reported killings for every 100,000 people. |
