Murder defined — Massachusetts Code § 1
Massachusetts Code § 1 — Murder defined. Reproduced from the official Massachusetts General Laws, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 1. Murder defined
Section 1. Murder committed with deliberately premeditated malice aforethought, or with extreme atrocity or cruelty, or in the commission or attempted commission of a crime punishable with death or imprisonment for life, is murder in the first degree. Murder which does not appear to be in the first degree is murder in the second degree. Petit treason shall be prosecuted and punished as murder. The degree of murder shall be found by the jury.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
At a glance
- Citation: Massachusetts General Laws § 1
- Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
- Code: Massachusetts General Laws
- Subject: Murder defined
- Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)
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Statute text is transcribed from the official Massachusetts General Laws. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:
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Common questions
What is the source of Massachusetts General Laws § 1?
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What subject does Massachusetts General Laws § 1 address?
It addresses "Murder defined". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.
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