I suppose it matters how the law is written. Is “intent” part of the law?
Not as far as I know. It is just Democrat speak and the press buys it without question.
Not my area of law but “intent” is usually not a requirement of a law or regulation requiring or prohibiting specific performance.
Intent can make it “worse.”
Murder 1 is killing with premeditation 20-Life-Dirt Nap.
Murder 2 is killing “in the heat of the moment.” You intended the person to die, you just didn’t take the time to form specific plans about it, etc. 8-20. (Actual time served rather than sentence)
Murder 3/Manslaughter is killing without any indent, but with what is generally regarded as gross negligence. 3-10.
You really get POed at Smith, search for him for two weeks, find him in a crowd, and shoot at him and kill him. Murder 1
Smith spits on you in a crowd, you whip out your SNS and shoot him. Murder 2.
You get pizzed that the crowd is playing music too loud, so you whip out your SNS and fire all 6 rounds at the crowd generally but not at any one person, but Smith, who you did not know, dies. Murder 2 or Manslaughter, depends.
You get drunk and your car plows into the crowd. You had no intent to hurt anyone, but you had 12 beers first. Smith, who you did not know, dies. Manslaughter.