Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with the intent of causing harm or death. It is considered one of the most heinous crimes and is punishable by life imprisonment or in some countries, the death penalty. Murder, and the motivations behind it, have been the subject of numerous studies and debates. Understanding the causes of murder is essential in preventing and reducing its occurrences.
Types of Murder
There are several types of murder, each with its own unique characteristics:
First-degree murder – First-degree murder is the most serious form of murder and is generally premeditated, meaning that the killer takes the time to plan the murder in advance. This type of murder is also referred to as premeditated murder and is often accompanied by aggravating circumstances, such as torturing the victim or killing multiple people.
Second-degree murder – Second-degree murder is considered intentional, but not premeditated. It can occur in the heat of the moment or as a result of a sudden impulse. The defining characteristic of second-degree murder is that the killer did not plan or premeditate the killing.
Felony murder – Felony murder is the killing of someone during the commission of a crime, such as robbery or arson. In felony murder cases, the intent to kill is not necessary for a conviction. As long as the killing occurred during the commission of a felony, the perpetrator can be charged with first-degree murder.
Manslaughter – Manslaughter is the killing of another person without the intent to kill. It is often the result of reckless behavior or negligence. Manslaughter can be categorized as voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when the killer acts with intent, but the killing is mitigated by a sudden provocation, such as finding a spouse in bed with someone else. Involuntary manslaughter occurs when someone is killed as a result of the killer’s negligence or recklessness, such as drunk driving.
Motivations for Murder
The motivations for murder are many and varied. Some of the most common causes of murder include:
Revenge – Revenge is a common motivation for murder. The desire for revenge can stem from a perceived wrong, such as infidelity or betrayal. The killer may believe that the victim deserves to be punished for their actions.
Anger – Anger is another common motivation for murder. The killer may be angry at the victim for a real or perceived wrong and may believe that the only way to resolve the situation is through violence.
Financial gain – Financial gain is often a motivating factor in murder cases. The killer may hope to gain access to the victim’s money or assets.
Mental illness – Mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, can also be a factor in murder cases. In some cases, the killer may believe that they are being commanded to commit the murder by voices in their head.
Domestic violence – Domestic violence is a leading cause of murder, particularly in cases where women are the victims. In many cases, the killer may feel a sense of possessiveness or jealousy over the victim.
Preventing Murder
Preventing murder is critical to creating safer communities. Some of the most effective strategies for preventing murder include:
Addressing underlying issues – Addressing underlying issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse, can help reduce the incidence of murder. By providing resources and support to those in need, communities can help individuals who may be at risk of committing murder.
Early intervention – Early intervention is crucial in preventing murder. Identifying individuals who may be at risk of committing violence and providing them with appropriate support and resources can help prevent them from turning to murder.
Education and awareness – Education and awareness campaigns can help to change attitudes and beliefs around violence. By promoting non-violent conflict resolution and healthy relationships, communities can help prevent murder.
Law enforcement – Law enforcement plays a critical role in preventing murder. By increasing patrols and addressing known problem areas, law enforcement can help deter potential killers.
Conclusion
Murder is a heinous crime that has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. Understanding the motivations behind murder and working to prevent it through early intervention, education, and law enforcement are critical to creating safer communities. By addressing underlying issues and promoting non-violent conflict resolution, we can all work together to reduce the incidence of murder and create a safer, more peaceful world.
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Gabriella Gonzalez was executed in a Dallas gas station by her ex-partner, Harold Thompson, after months of abuse, culminating in his threatening her and her three children. A warrant for Thompson’s arrest had already been issued in March 2022 but he had not been taken into custody. Gonzalez had just returned from Colorado following an abortion when Thompson, who had reportedly made threats when he learned about the termination, attacked her. Texas recently banned most abortions in the state, a decision supported by Thompson which added to Gonzalez’s fears for her safety. The state’s repressive abortion regime saw Gonzalez travel to another state to organise the procedure. Released surveillance footage shows Thompson attempting to choke Gonzalez, before returning to his vehicle to retrieve a gun and killing her. Thompson is now under arrest and has been charged with murder.
Lawyers for a woman accused of killing her husband said that her 14-year-old daughter claimed responsibility for the shooting. Laurie Shaver, of Florida, was charged in 2018 over the disappearance of husband Michael Shaver in 2015. His body was found in a fire pit in the family's back yard. Ms Shaver, who denies the charges against her, initially told authorities her husband had abandoned the family and disappeared. Evidence heard by the court detailed Mrs Shaver’s use of her husband’s credit cards and firearms. She also allegedly impersonated her husband to a man with whom she was having an affair. Lawyers for Ms Shaver claim the state is failing to pursue evidence that could prove her innocence. The defense team called for the girl to be evaluated by a forensic psychologist so that she can testify. The prosecution denied the motion.
Bryan Kohberger, a murder suspect accused of killing four US university students, has reportedly received more than two dozen letters from fans while awaiting trial. A former criminology student at Washington State University, he is charged with the fatal stabbings of Kyalee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The suspect has not entered a plea, although an unnamed employee at the Latah County Jail, where Kohberger is being held, told The Messenger that he said he was keen to clear his name when asked via public defender.
Lori Vallow has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Specifically, her and her brother were accused of having agreed to commit first-degree premeditated murder on someone identified in court as Brandon Boudreaux. It is the third time that Cox has been named as a co-conspirator. Police in Gilbert, Arizona, allege that Cox shot at Mr Boudreaux outside his home from the back of a jeep after he returned home from the gym that morning.
Lori Vallow has been found guilty of murdering her two children and conspiring to murder her new husband's previous wife. She was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft. The remains of Vallow's daughter, Tylee Ryan, 16, and son Joshua "JJ" Vallow were found buried on Chad Daybell's property in June 2020. Tammy Daybell, Chad's wife, died in October 2019, and prosecutors argued that Vallow conspired with her husband and brother Alex Cox to kill the three victims out of greed and their doomsday cult beliefs. Vallow's sentencing will take place within 90 days, where she could face a life sentence.
Nurse Lucy Letby, who is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others, has told Manchester Crown Court that the inability of medics to resuscitate babies was “devastating”. Letby is alleged to have given a lethal dose of air to one of her victims, a triplet newborn, and also to have inflicted liver injuries. Letby denies all charges against her, which stem from incidents said to have occurred between June 2015 and June 2016.
West Yorkshire police have charged 34 year-old Marcus Osbourne with the murder of two people found dead in a Huddersfield house. Katie Higton, 27, and Steven Harnett, 25, were discovered on Monday. Osbourne will appear in court on 17 May and has been charged for the murder of both persons, along with the assault and detention of a second woman at the scene of the crime. An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation has also been launched, as police had contact with the two victims and Osbourne in the days prior to their deaths.
Lawyers for Laurie Shaver, a Florida woman accused of murdering her husband in 2015, stand accused of trying to elicit a false confession from her 14-year-old daughter. Lawyers for Shaver, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and accessory after the fact, allege that her daughter has expressed the desire to testify in court that she, not her mother, was responsible for the fatal shooting. The defence previously requested that the minor undergo forensic psychological evaluation, which the court denied. Shaver is accused of killing her husband Michael Shaver in November 2015, before burying him in a fire pit in March 2018. His disappearance was not reported until the latter date. Shaver claimed that her husband had quit his job and left the family of his own accord. She is also accused of using his money, marrying another man and selling his firearms.
The UK Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating a suspected double murder in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, due to the fact that police officers had contact with the two victims before their death. The bodies of Katie Higson, aged 27, and Steven Harnett, aged 25 were discovered after police were called to the property by paramedics. Harnett was the ex-partner of Higson, who left the emergency services after the relationship ended, local news outlets report. A 34-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder remains in police custody.
A man has been charged with the murder of Steven Harnett, 25, and Katie Higton, 27, who were found fatally injured at a house in Huddersfield. Marcus Osbourne, 34, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of murder and one count of assault and detaining a woman against her will. The force has confirmed its investigations are ongoing.
Former Washington State University PhD student Bryan Kohberger has been indicted on four charges of burglary and murder by an Idaho grand jury. Kohberger is accused of killing students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chaping at their off-campus residence in November 2016. Kohberger was arrested on 30 December after evidence reportedly linked him to the crime.
Lucy Letby, a nurse accused of murdering seven babies and the attempted murder of ten more, has said that the deaths of two triplet brothers were “harrowing”. Letby denies accusations of killing the boys after a holiday to Ibiza in June 2016. On one of the days, a baby, known as Child O, deteriorated and was stabilised, before suffering a further fatal collapse. An independent pathologist suggested that the boy had suffered an “impact injury” similar to a road accident, while medical experts claimed he had died as a result of a mixture of injuries and air injected into his bloodstream.
The Quebec Court of Appeal has reduced the time a man convicted of a series of killings must serve before parole eligibility by a decade. Benjamin Hudon-Barbeau had been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 35 years after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in 2018. However, following a Supreme Court of Canada decision that restitution sentencing for multiple murders was unconstitutional, the Appeal court ruled Hudon-Barbeau would be able to apply for parole after 25 years instead of 35.
Mark Anthony Scerri, a notorious serial rapist and sexual sadist, has been interviewed over the cold case death of William “Bill” Rooney in February 1986. Scerri, who has been jailed twice for a series of sexual assaults on men, was quizzed in a landmark NSW inquiry into hate crimes against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community. Scerri was the “primary person of interest” in the case and his evidence will be included in the inquiry’s final report, which is due at the end of August. The inquiry was also notable for its closed-door approach.
The death of a man whose body was found alongside that of a four-year-old boy is not being treated as suspicious. The boy, Kayden Frank, was found dead at an address in Argyle Street, Paisley around 8pm on Monday. The man who was found with Kayden, who has been named in reports as Frank Lamie, 38, was discovered after police and ambulances called at the scene. Following a post-mortem examination, Kayden's death is being treated as murder. Detectives say there is no reason to believe anyone else was involved in the incident.
A Nottingham man has been jailed for life after admitting to the murder of his 11-year-old son. Michael Harrison plead guilty to manslaughter and later murder earlier this year. He initially claimed that his son had fallen out of a tree before admitting that Mikey was really hurt in an attack. Harrison "went crazy" and attacked his son before putting him in his van and driving him to a nearby park. Harrison put himself at risk, more than the risk he put his child, by failing to summon immediate help to save his son’s life.
Two 17-year-old boys have been charged with the murder of a man in Birmingham, whom they are also alleged to have tried to kill by running him over. Leighton Williams, 28, of Birmingham and another 16-year-old teenager have also been charged with the murder of Kelvin Ward.
Nima Momeni has pleaded not guilty to the murder of technology entrepreneur Bob Lee. The prosecution claims the killing was premeditated, arguing that Momeni drove Lee to a secluded area and stabbed him twice in the chest. Despite this, Momeni's lawyer argued against the use of CCTV footage, stating that it does not show enough to conclusively determine events. While the prosecution did not suggest a motive, court documents have revealed that Momeni questioned Lee about his sister. Momeni's sister, Khazar Elyassnia, is married to a local plastic surgeon and both she and her husband attended the hearing. Momeni was ordered to be detained ahead of his trial.
The owner of a Latvian bank, Mihails Ulmans, faces a murder conspiracy trial on 8 January, accused of inciting the murder of a lawyer who had reported the bank for money laundering. The trial has reignited concerns over the sector, which has previously faced a number of claims of corruption and money laundering. Bunkus was shot in May 2018 after he complained to authorities about the LPB bank. Ulmans has denied any involvement in money laundering.
