​KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Murder
​Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being where the offence does not fall within the categories of manslaughter or infanticide.
The mental element required for murder is traditionally known as malice aforethought. This means either an intention to kill or an intention to cause grievous bodily harm that results in death.
The offence is regarded as one of the most serious crimes in criminal law and carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
Certain partial defences may reduce a conviction for murder to voluntary manslaughter. These include diminished responsibility, suicide pact, and loss of control.
Although these defences do not excuse the killing entirely, they reduce the level of criminal liability because of the defendant’s mental state or circumstances at the time of the offence.