Depraved-heart murder, also known as depraved-indifference murder, is an American legal term for an action that demonstrates a "callous disregard for human life" and results in death. In most states, depraved heart killings constitute second-degree murder.
If no death results, such acts would generally be defined as reckless endangerment and possibly other crimes, such as assault.
Read more about Depraved-heart Murder: Common Law Background, Under The Model Penal Code
Famous quotes containing the word murder:
“Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep,” the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care,
The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,
Chief nourisher in life’s feast.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)