New York Second Degree Murder Laws

Under New York criminal law, murder in the second degree is one of several forms of homicide, or conduct which causes the death of a person. Other forms of homicide include first-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and abortion. Pursuant to the statute, a person commits second-degree murder in one of five ways:

1. with the intent to cause the death of another person, he or she causes the death of such person or a third person;
   
2. under circumstances demonstrating a "depraved indifference to human life," the defendant "recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby causes the death of another person";
   
3. acting alone or in concert with others, the defendant commits or attempts to commit a specified felony (including robbery, burglary, kidnapping, arson, rape, and sexual abuse) and, in the course of and in furtherance of such crime or of immediate flight therefrom, he or she causes the death of a non-participant;
   
4. under circumstances demonstrating a "depraved indifference to human life," a defendant 18 years old or more "recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of serious physical injury or death" to a person less than 11 years old and causes the death of such person; or
   
5. while in the course of committing a specified crime such as rape, a criminal sexual act or sexual abuse, a defendant 18 years old or more intentionally causes the death of a person less than 14 years old.

Depraved Indifference and Felony Murder

The second type of second-degree murder listed above - "depraved indifference" murder - is a form of reckless homicide. To convict a defendant for second-degree depraved indifference murder, the prosecution must prove - in addition to the defendant's creation of a "grave risk of death" to another person - two distinct mens reas, or mental states: recklessness, and a "depraved indifference to human life." Convictions for depraved indifference murder have become increasingly rare, and often involve conduct creating danger to a group of people rather than a single individual.

The third type of second-degree murder described above - "felony murder" - may alternatively be classified as a form of first-degree murder, depending on the circumstances surrounding the killing. First-degree felony murder requires the defendant's intent to kill the victim or another non-participant in the crime, while second-degree felony murder requires only the defendant's intent to commit one of the predicate felonies. Also, a person charged with first-degree felony murder must have personally caused the victim's death or commanded another to do so. On the other hand, a person may be convicted of second-degree felony murder for being an accomplice of the actual killer.

New York Second Degree Murder Penalties and Defenses

Below, you'll find a table breaking down the potential penalties for a second degree murder conviction in New York as well as possible defenses to the charge.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Related Resources:

• Homicide
• Second Degree Murder
• Second Degree Murder Defenses

Get Legal Help with Your Second Degree Murder Case in New York

Prosecutions for murder are high-stakes affairs. A judgment against you can result in years of incarceration and a record that will affect your opportunities for employment, reputation, and civil rights for the rest of your life. So, if you've been charged with second degree murder in New York, it's in your best interest to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney near you today to learn about your options moving forward.