- Depraved heart murder
Depraved heart 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 either
second-degree murder or first-degreemanslaughter .Examples might be:
* Piloting a motorboat at high speed through a crowded swimming area on a lake.
* Shooting a gun randomly at a bus with passengers aboard.
* Speeding in a car to the right of a school bus that is unloading children.
* Shooting a gun into a thicket, not knowing or caring if anyone is in the thicket.If no death results, such acts would generally be defined as
reckless endangerment and possibly othercrime s, such asassault .
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