second degree murder
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia.
Related to second degree murder: Justifiable homicide, manslaughter, Involuntary manslaughter, M'Naghten rule
second degree murder
n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an assault in which death of the victim was a distinct possibility. Second degree murder is different from First Degree Murder which is a premeditated, intentional killing, or results from a vicious crime such as arson, rape, or armed robbery. Exact distinctions on degree vary by state. (See: murder, first degree murder, manslaughter)