Depraved-heart murder

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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.^[1]

If no death results, such acts would generally be defined as reckless endangerment and possibly other crimes, such as assault.

Common law background

The common law punishes unintentional homicide as murder if the defendant commits an act of gross recklessness. A classic example of depraved-heart murder under the common law is in the case Commonwealth v. Malone, where the court affirmed the second-degree murder conviction of a teenager for a death arising from a game of Russian roulette.^[2]

Under the Model Penal Code

Depraved-heart murder is recognized in the Model Penal Code § 210.2(1)(b).^[3] The Model Penal Code considers unintentional killing to constitute murder when the conduct of the defendant manifests "extreme indifference to the value of human life".

References

^ Bonnie, R.J. et. al. Criminal Law, Second Edition. Foundation Press, New York, NYL 2004, p. 797
^ Commonwealth v. Malone, 47 A.2d 445 (PA 1946)
^ American Law Institute Model Penal Code (Official Draft, 1962)

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