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

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

Everything he has done in his whole life has been with malice aforethought.

From Salon

“We are in this position with malice aforethought,” he says.

From Scientific American

California defines murder as “the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.”

From Seattle Times

When police officers, such as Mr. Coy and those accused of killing George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, face felony murder charges, prosecutors do not need to prove malice aforethought.

From New York Times