Murder

OFFENCE

Murder is causing the death of another person with either the intent to cause that death, or with the intent to cause bodily harm that one knows is likely to cause death and is reckless whether death ensues or not.

Murder can be either first degree or second degree. First degree murder involves the planning and deliberation of the act which caused the death of the victim. Murder can also be first degree when the death is caused during the commission of a number of other criminal offences, including sexual assault, kidnapping, forcible confinement and hostage taking. Murder that is not first degree is second degree.