malice aforethought

American  

noun

Law.

1. a predetermination to commit an unlawful act without just cause or provocation (applied chiefly to cases of first-degree murder).

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malice aforethought British  

noun

1. the predetermination to do an unlawful act, esp to kill or seriously injure

2. the intent with which an unlawful killing is effected, which must be proved for the crime to constitute murder See also murder manslaughter

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Etymology

Origin of malice aforethought

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

“I killed Robert F. Kennedy willfully, premeditatedly, and with 20 years of malice aforethought,” he told the court, later explaining it was a reference to the 1948 birth of Israel.

From Los Angeles Times

Capote had no doubt that Ann — “Mrs. Bang Bang,” he once called her to her face — had offed her husband with malice aforethought, but in Montillo’s telling the evidence is less than clear-cut.

From Washington Post

The legal definition — and I might actually slaughter this a little myself — the legal definition of manslaughter is killing a human being without malice aforethought.

From Salon

Three weeks ago, I wrote here about "Seven Days in June," a right-wing coup carried out without violence, but with considerable malice aforethought by the Supreme Court in the final week of its term.

From Salon

Although its sting can induce swelling, excruciating pain and sometimes deadly allergic reactions, the northern giant hornet is not aggressive toward humans — and it’s unlikely that any could have “malice aforethought” in related fatalities.

From New York Times