Second-degree murder is best described as killing with malice aforethought without premeditation.

Second-degree murder is best described as killing with malice aforethought without premeditation.

• A. Premeditated murder
• B. Killing in the heat of passion
• C. Malice murder without premeditation
• D. Negligent homicide

Answer: (C)

Second-degree murder involves malice aforethought without any premeditation. Malice aforethought means the killer intended to kill or to cause serious harm, or acted with a reckless disregard for human life. Premeditation, the planning or deliberate consideration of the act, is absent in second-degree murder—if premeditation were present, the crime would be first-degree murder. If there’s no malice or the death results from mere negligence, the charge would fall under manslaughter or negligent homicide, not murder. So describing it as malice murder without premeditation best fits the concept.

Second-degree murder involves malice aforethought without any premeditation. Malice aforethought means the killer intended to kill or to cause serious harm, or acted with a reckless disregard for human life. Premeditation, the planning or deliberate consideration of the act, is absent in second-degree murder—if premeditation were present, the crime would be first-degree murder. If there’s no malice or the death results from mere negligence, the charge would fall under manslaughter or negligent homicide, not murder. So describing it as malice murder without premeditation best fits the concept.