By definition, capital punishment is not murder. Murder is defined as [b]unlawful[/b], malicious killing—you have to kill them, you have to have been intending malice towards them, you have to have deliberately meant to cause them harm (thus accidental workplace deaths don’t count unless you set them up intentionally; otherwise its just manslaughter), and you have to have been doing so unlawfully.
Intending malice is not strictly a requirement. Killing someone because you (for example) believe that it will save their immortal soul is not malicious. Euthenasia is also still punished as murder in many juristictions even when it is done with the intent of mercy not malice.
I think they assume that intending to kill someone is ALWAYS malicious in the US, regardless of your personal convictions on the matter. But yes, you are correct that you could be charged with murder without actual malice on your part (not that it is really inappropriate—the fact that you’re being dumb doesn’t excuse you for your crime).
By the US definitions, assisted suicide is potentially murder due to your intent to kill, unless your state has an exception, though it is more likely to be voluntary manslaughter. Involuntary euthanasia is a whole different kettle of fish, though.
Intending malice is not strictly a requirement. Killing someone because you (for example) believe that it will save their immortal soul is not malicious. Euthenasia is also still punished as murder in many juristictions even when it is done with the intent of mercy not malice.
I think they assume that intending to kill someone is ALWAYS malicious in the US, regardless of your personal convictions on the matter. But yes, you are correct that you could be charged with murder without actual malice on your part (not that it is really inappropriate—the fact that you’re being dumb doesn’t excuse you for your crime).
By the US definitions, assisted suicide is potentially murder due to your intent to kill, unless your state has an exception, though it is more likely to be voluntary manslaughter. Involuntary euthanasia is a whole different kettle of fish, though.
I think Titanium meant you have to intend to kill them.