What is Capitol Murder?
In many jurisdictions, there exists a special type of homicide, known as capital murder or capital offense, that warrants the death penalty or severe punishment. Capitol murder laws vary across countries, regions, and states, with each having its unique parameters and circumstances under which capital punishment can be inflicted upon an individual found guilty.
What Constitutes a Capitol Murder?
General Criteria
To understand what is considered a capitol murder, it’s essential to know the commonalities among different jurisdictions. Across the United States, at least 29 states use a specific type of trial called a CapitalFelony. Typically, these cases involve one of the following criteria:
- Aggravated premeditation: Evidence proving that the killer deliberated and planned the crime for an extended period
- Intentional execution of a public servant (e.g., judge, law enforcement, firefighters) due to their duty status
Contents
Certain Death-Related Homicides
- Murder: Unlawfully causing someone’s death, intentionally and with malice
- Examples:
- Killing another in cold blood
- Premeditated, malicious, and willful causing of another’s death
- Examples:
Homicide with Special Circumstances
Specific situations may enhance a killing to become capital murder:
- Aggravating circumstances, like heinous, depraved indifference to human life or repeated violence against victims or numerous people
Example: a killer displaying blatant disregard for human life in their actions, with signs of sadistic enjoyment (e.g., extreme injuries, prolonged torture, excessive brutality) - Felon in possession of a weapon when committing a homicide : This includes owning/possessing weapons against victims or possessing prohibited contraband weapons like rifles, shotguns, knives, or explosive materials)
Jurisdictions and Examples of Capitally MURderable Offenses
Examples from jurisdictions in the United States
| Jurisdiction | Specified Capitally Murderrable Offenses |
|---|---|
| Federal Justice System | |
| • First-degree murder under U.S. code | |
• Unlawfully committing an act of violence involving multiple victims (or injury) with felicity intent
|
- Intentional death within the context of international child abductions for illicit adoption
| California | • Willful premeditated killing under Pen. Code section 190.2 ( California |
|---|
• Special Circumstances Murder with specified predicate crimes under Penal Code (Cal. P)
New York|
• Homicide resulting in 2+ concurrent terms greater than 10- years-to-life in State maximum sentences |
• Execution/murder committed as act of terrorism |
