In NY State, unless they’ve changed it, first degree is killing a law officer and Second Degree is premeditated murder of anyone else.
Gee, what a coincidence. Muslim, beheading. He probably thinks that this honor killing paints Muslims in a positive light.
YOu only get it for killing a police officer? Wow.
In almost all cases, it is NOT premeditated. In order to prove first degree, they have to show the premeditation.