Attempted Murder: A Serious Crime with Serious Consequences

Posted on August 14, 2008
Filed Under Celebrities, Murder |

Shelley Malil, an actor who has been in such films as “40-Year-Old Virgin” was charged with premeditated attempted murder in an attack that left his former girlfriend in critical condition with 20 stab wounds. The actor pleaded “not guilty” in the case, and faces a possibility of life in prison if convicted of the attack.

Attempted murder is the crime of more than merely preparing to commit murder and at the same time having a specific intention to kill. Acting deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life, the person attempts to kill someone, and does something that is a substantial step toward committing the murder. Mere preparation is not a substantial step toward committing a crime.

An example of attempted murder is firing a weapon without regard for human life, such as a drive by shooting.

Attempted murder can bring different penalties depending upon the degree, the circumstances and location of the crime. Who the crime as committed against can also affect the penalty. For example, a bill was recently passed in the California Assembly that would make the penalty for attempted murder of a custodial officer the equivalent to that of a peace officer or a firefighter — life imprisonment. Attempted murder can bring decades in prison, and it is also a felony that will carry with it a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law.

Written by Joe M

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