Depraved heart murder
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Depraved heart murder is an American legal term for when an action that demonstrates a "callous disregard for human life" results in death. In most states, depraved heart killings constitute either second-degree murder or first-degree manslaughter.
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 past the right hand side of a school bus that is unloading children.
If no death results, such acts would generally be defined as reckless endangerment and possibly other crimes, such as assault.