The defense would fail, for example, if a defendant deliberately killed a petty thief who did not appear to be a physical threat.

One defendant killed himself before his case could come to trial.

Was the defendant in the play, a teenager accused of killing his father with a switchblade, guilty?

The defendant killed a judge or prosecutor exercising his official duties.

The defendant killed a police officer, prison guard, or fireman in the line of duty.

There's no doubt in their minds, either, that the defendant killed that poor girl.

The defendant shot his wife with two .38 caliber bullets and killed her.

In a typical murder trial, prosecutors have to prove that the defendant killed the victim.

Would the defendant have killed as he did if he had not been drunk?

"At this point, did you believe that the defendant had killed the baby?"