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Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02 (2026)

Murder

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Effective:
June 30, 1998
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 5 - 122nd General Assembly
PDF:
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(A) No person shall purposely cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another's pregnancy.

(B) No person shall cause the death of another as a proximate result of the offender's committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence that is a felony of the first or second degree and that is not a violation of section 2903.03 or 2903.04 of the Revised Code.

(C) Division (B) of this section does not apply to an offense that becomes a felony of the first or second degree only if the offender previously has been convicted of that offense or another specified offense.

(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of murder, and shall be punished as provided in section 2929.02 of the Revised Code.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2,056 cases (805 in the last 5 years), 1976–2026 · leading case: State v. Johnson, 2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 1061.
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State v. Johnson, 2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 1061. · cites it 15× “Rance overruled — Felony murder, R.C. 2903.02(B), and child endangering, R.”
State v. Williams, 2010-Ohio-147, 922 N.E.2d 937. · cites it 30× “He maintains that he can be convicted of only one count of attempted murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02, because, he asserts, when felonious assault is the felony of violence underlying a charge of attempted murder pursuant to R.”
State v. Shine-Johnson, 2018-Ohio-3347, 117 N.E.3d 986. · cites it 16× “01; one count of murder, in violation of R.C. 2903.02; and one count of tampering with evidence, in violation of R.”
State v. Young, 2020-Ohio-462. · cites it 19× “18AP-630 and 18AP-631 2 November 6, 2015, appellant was indicted on one count of murder pursuant to R.C. 2903.02(A) with a firearm specification, one count of murder pursuant to R.”
State v. Fry, 2010-Ohio-1017, 926 N.E.2d 1239. · cites it 8× “01(A), and Count Three charged him with felony murder, R.C. 2903.02. {¶ 4} Fry was also charged with six additional counts: Count Four — aggravated burglary, Count Five — domestic violence on July 18, 2005, Count Six — domestic violence on July 31, 2005, Count Seven — tampering…”
State v. McKelton (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-5735, 70 N.E.3d 508. · cites it 4× “Pretrial Background {¶ 2} In February 2010, the state charged McKelton with the murder of Allen, R.C. 2903.02(B), and the aggravated murder of Evans, R.”
State v. Miller, 2002-Ohio-4931, 775 N.E.2d 498. · cites it 9× “Felony Murder {¶21} The newly enacted felony murder statute, R.C. 2903.02, became effective on June 30, 1998, well before the crimes occurred in this case.”
State v. Bond, 2022-Ohio-4150, 212 N.E.3d 880. · cites it 8× “Facts and procedural background {¶ 2} Bond was indicted by a Richland County grand jury on two counts of murder, one under R.C. 2903.02(A) and one under R.C. 2903.02(B), each with a firearm specification under R.”
State v. Montgomery (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-5487, 71 N.E.3d 180. · cites it 4× “50 January Term, 2016 1051, ¶ 193. In addition, we must consider the following statutory mitigating factors: victim inducement; duress, coercion, or strong provocation; mental disease or defect; youth; lack of significant criminal history; accomplice only; and any other relevant…”
State v. Walker (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-8295, 82 N.E.3d 1124. · cites it 4× “During a bar fight, Dajhon Walker knowingly killed Antwon Shannon, and for that act Walker was properly convicted of felony murder under R.C. 2903.02(B). But the evidence did not show that this killing was done with prior calculation and design as required to sustain a…”
State v. Williams (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-7658, 71 N.E.3d 234. · cites it 4× “13(F), for punishment for the crime of MURDER, Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.02, a special felony; for a definite term of LIFE WITH PAROLE after Thirty (30) years, which is a mandatory term pursuant to O.”
State v. Messenger, 2021-Ohio-2044, 174 N.E.3d 425. · cites it 6× “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} By indictment filed March 7, 2019, plaintiff-appellee, State of Ohio, charged Messenger with one count of murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02, an unclassified felony; and one count of felony murder in violation of R.”
Show all 2,056 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(2): 1 case
State v. Spivey, 2013-Ohio-851.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(8): 2 cases
State v. Sanders, 2019-Ohio-30.
State v. Davis, 2023-Ohio-487.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A): 971 cases
State v. Williams, 2010-Ohio-147, 922 N.E.2d 937. “He maintains that he can be convicted of only one count of attempted murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02, because, he asserts, when felonious assault is the felony of violence underlying a charge of attempted murder pursuant to R.”
State v. Young, 2020-Ohio-462. “18AP-630 and 18AP-631 2 November 6, 2015, appellant was indicted on one count of murder pursuant to R.C. 2903.02(A) with a firearm specification, one count of murder pursuant to R.”
State v. Barnes, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (Ohio 2002).
State v. Bond, 2022-Ohio-4150, 212 N.E.3d 880. “Facts and procedural background {¶ 2} Bond was indicted by a Richland County grand jury on two counts of murder, one under R.C. 2903.02(A) and one under R.C. 2903.02(B), each with a firearm specification under R.”
State v. Montgomery (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-5487, 71 N.E.3d 180. “50 January Term, 2016 1051, ¶ 193. In addition, we must consider the following statutory mitigating factors: victim inducement; duress, coercion, or strong provocation; mental disease or defect; youth; lack of significant criminal history; accomplice only; and any other relevant…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A)(1): 7 cases
State v. Morris, 2018-Ohio-830.
State v. King, 2013-Ohio-4791.
State v. Norris, 2013-Ohio-1010.
State v. Myers, 2012-Ohio-660.
State v. Mayle, 2018-Ohio-2511.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A)(2): 4 cases
State v. Barker, 2023-Ohio-453.
State v. Williams, 2025-Ohio-1151.
State v. Wanzo, 2013-Ohio-2085.
State v. Gill, 2026-Ohio-748.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A)(3): 1 case
Sims, Jr. v. Gray, No. 4:19-cv-02342 (N.D. Ohio Dec. 13, 2022).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A)(B): 4 cases
State v. Austin, 686 N.E.2d 324 (Ohio Ct. App. 7th Dist. 1996).
State v. Austin, 2018-Ohio-3727.
State v. Goe, 2025-Ohio-4866.
State v. Jewell, 2026-Ohio-2062.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A)(D): 36 cases
State v. Novoa, 2021-Ohio-3585.
State v. Shaw, 2013-Ohio-5292.
State v. Matland, 2010-Ohio-6585.
State v. Helms, 2010-Ohio-4872.
State v. Magby, 2019-Ohio-877.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(A)(D)(B): 1 case
State v. Mitchell, 2025-Ohio-4658.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(B): 1027 cases
State v. Johnson, 2010-Ohio-6314, 942 N.E.2d 1061. “Rance overruled — Felony murder, R.C. 2903.02(B), and child endangering, R.”
State v. Williams, 2010-Ohio-147, 922 N.E.2d 937. “He maintains that he can be convicted of only one count of attempted murder in violation of R.C. 2903.02, because, he asserts, when felonious assault is the felony of violence underlying a charge of attempted murder pursuant to R.”
State v. McKelton (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-5735, 70 N.E.3d 508. “Pretrial Background {¶ 2} In February 2010, the state charged McKelton with the murder of Allen, R.C. 2903.02(B), and the aggravated murder of Evans, R.”
State v. Walker (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-8295, 82 N.E.3d 1124. “During a bar fight, Dajhon Walker knowingly killed Antwon Shannon, and for that act Walker was properly convicted of felony murder under R.C. 2903.02(B). But the evidence did not show that this killing was done with prior calculation and design as required to sustain a…”
State v. Miller, 2002-Ohio-4931, 775 N.E.2d 498. “Felony Murder {¶21} The newly enacted felony murder statute, R.C. 2903.02, became effective on June 30, 1998, well before the crimes occurred in this case.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(B)(1): 2 cases
State v. Samueal, 2023-Ohio-3322, 224 N.E.3d 1157.
State v. Smith, 2022-Ohio-2455.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(B)(2): 1 case
State v. Grube, 2013-Ohio-692.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(B)(D): 13 cases
State v. Schaeffer, 2015-Ohio-3531.
State v. Dumas, 2015-Ohio-2683.
State v. Dawson, 2017-Ohio-2957, 91 N.E.3d 140.
State v. Becker, 2023-Ohio-601.
State v. McGee, 2013-Ohio-4165.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(B)(D)(B): 1 case
State v. Kennedy, 2025-Ohio-1330.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(C): 2 cases
State v. Bacon, 2016-Ohio-618.
State v. Davis, 2013-Ohio-1748, 989 N.E.2d 992.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(D): 13 cases
State v. Blouir, 2022-Ohio-1222.
State v. Underwood, 2024-Ohio-2273.
State v. Omenai, 2024-Ohio-1571.
State v. Evans, 2015-Ohio-3208.
State v. Richardson, 2015-Ohio-4708, 29 N.E.3d 354.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(E)(1): 1 case
State v. Carpenter, 2023-Ohio-2838.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(F): 1 case
State v. Mathis, 2022-Ohio-2291.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(G): 1 case
State v. Mathis, 2022-Ohio-2291.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(a): 1 case
State v. Jennings, 2018-Ohio-3871.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02(b): 1 case
In re Williams, 2011-Ohio-4338.
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