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1st Degree Murder

There are 7 different ways to be charged with 1st degree murder. 

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  1. Premeditation

  2. While committing a sex offense

  3. Miscellaneous Offenses

  4. Government Official

  5. Child abuse

  6. Domestic pattern of abuse

  7. Terrorism

1. Premeditation

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(1))

Causing the death of a human being with premeditation and with intent to effect the death of the person or of another is 1st degree murder.

3. Miscellaneous Offenses

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(3))

Causing the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of the person or another, while committing or attempting to commit any of the following offenses is 1st degree murder: burglary, aggravated robbery, carjacking in the first or second degree, kidnapping, arson in the first or second degree, a drive-by shooting, tampering with a witness in the first degree, escape from custody, or any felony violation of chapter 152 involving the unlawful sale of a controlled substance.

5. Child abuse

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(5))

Causing the death of a minor while committing child abuse, when the perpetrator has engaged in a past pattern of child abuse upon a child and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life is 1st degree murder.

7. terrorism

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(7))

Causing the death of a human being while committing, conspiring to commit, or attempting to commit a felony crime to further terrorism and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life is 1st degree murder.

2. While committing a sex offense

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(2))

Causing the death of a human being while committing or attempting to commit criminal sexual conduct in the first or second degree with force or violence, is 1st degree murder.

4. Government official

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(4))

Causing the death of a peace officer, prosecuting attorney, judge, or a guard employed at a Minnesota state or local correctional facility, with intent to effect the death of that person or another, while the person is engaged in the performance of official duties is 1st degree murder.

6. domestic pattern of abuse

(Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(6))

Causing the death of a human being while committing domestic abuse, when the perpetrator has engaged in a past pattern of domestic abuse upon the victim or upon another family or household member and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life is 1st degree murder.

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