Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (2026)
First degree murder
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) First degree murder is:
- (1) A premeditated and intentional killing of another;
- (2) A killing of another committed in the perpetration of or attempt to perpetrate any first degree murder, arson, robbery, burglary, theft, kidnapping, aggravated abuse of an elderly or vulnerable adult in violation of § 39-15-511, aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult in violation of § 39-15-508, aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect, or aircraft piracy;
- (3) A killing of another committed as the result of the unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;
- (4) A killing of another in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of an act of terrorism in violation of § 39-13-805; or
- (5) A killing of another in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of an aggravated rape, rape, rape of a child, or aggravated rape of child.
- (b) No culpable mental state is required for conviction under subdivisions (a)(2)-(5), except the intent to commit the enumerated offenses or acts in those subdivisions.
- (c)
- (1) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(2), a person convicted of first degree murder under subdivisions (a)(1)-(5) shall be punished by:
- (A) Death;
- (B) Imprisonment for life without possibility of parole; or
- (C) Imprisonment for life.
- (2) If a person convicted of first degree murder under subdivisions (a)(4) and (5) was an adult at the time of commission of the offense, then the person shall be punished by:
- (A) Death; or
- (B) Imprisonment for life without possibility of parole.
- (1) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(2), a person convicted of first degree murder under subdivisions (a)(1)-(5) shall be punished by:
- (d) Notwithstanding § 39-12-107, a person convicted of attempted first degree murder may be sentenced to imprisonment for life without possibility of parole if the court finds the person committed the offense against any law enforcement officer, correctional officer, department of correction employee, probation and parole officer, emergency medical or rescue worker, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or firefighter, who was engaged in the performance of official duties, and the person knew or reasonably should have known that the victim was a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, department of correction employee, probation and parole officer, emergency medical or rescue worker, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or firefighter engaged in the performance of official duties.
- (e) As used in subdivision (a)(1), "premeditation" is an act done after the exercise of reflection and judgment. "Premeditation" means that the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself. It is not necessary that the purpose to kill preexist in the mind of the accused for any definite period of time. The mental state of the accused at the time the accused allegedly decided to kill must be carefully considered in order to determine whether the accused was sufficiently free from excitement and passion as to be capable of premeditation.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 718, Secs.s2, s3, s4 eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 718, s 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 528, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 500, s 2, eff. 10/1/2021.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 528, Secs.s2, s3, s4 eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 394, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1050, s 6, eff. 1/1/2019.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1030, § 15; 1991, ch. 377, § 2; 1993, ch. 338, § 1; 1993, ch. 473, § 1; 1994, ch. 883, § 1; 1995, ch. 460, § 1; 1998, ch. 1040, § 3; 2002, ch. 849, § 2a; 2007 , ch. 158, § 2.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1,832
cases (258 in the last 5 years), 1992–2026 · leading case: State v. Davidson, 121 S.W.3d 600 (Tenn. 2003).
State v. Davidson, 121 S.W.3d 600 (Tenn. 2003). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (1991 & Supp.”
State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-202, 39-11-403 (1997).”
State v. Dorantes, 331 S.W.3d 370 (Tenn. 2011). “Acts 911 (codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a) (Supp.1998)) (emphasis added).”
State v. Banks, 271 S.W.3d 90 (Tenn. 2008). “Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(l), lust degree murder includes the “premeditated and intentional killing of another.”
State v. Berry, 141 S.W.3d 549 (Tenn. 2004). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i) (1996). Accordingly, the primary concern for a defendant charged with first-degree murder is notice that he or she is facing an enhanced sentence of life without parole or death.”
State v. Leach, 148 S.W.3d 42 (Tenn. 2004). “"Premeditation" means that the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself.”
State v. Reid, 164 S.W.3d 286 (Tenn. 2005). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-202(a); -403. The prosecution also relied on the defendant's prior conviction in Texas for the offense of aggravated robbery, which the parties stipulated was a violent felony.”
State of Tennessee v. Howard Hawk Willis, 496 S.W.3d 653 (Tenn. 2016). “‖ Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (Supp.”
State v. Godsey, 60 S.W.3d 759 (Tenn. 2001). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(2) & (b).”
State of Tennessee v. Henry Lee Jones, 568 S.W.3d 101 (Tenn. 2019). “Premeditated murder, defined as the “premeditated and intentional killing of another,” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (2003), “may be established by any evidence from which a rational trier of fact may infer that the killing was done ‘after the exercise of reflection and…”
State v. Hall, 958 S.W.2d 679 (Tenn. 1997). “[8] At the time this offense was committed, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (1991) provided that the "intentional, premeditated and deliberate killing of another" constitutes first degree murder.”
State of Tennessee v. James Hawkins, 519 S.W.3d 1 (Tenn. 2017). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (2014).”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(1): 2 cases
State v. Bolden, 979 S.W.2d 587 (Tenn. 1998).
State of Tennessee v. Joey Lee Goins, No. E2009-00021-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 17, 2010).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(1)(2): 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Ronald Levon Cosper, No. E2016-00212-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 12, 2017).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(2): 9 cases
State v. Rice, 184 S.W.3d 646 (Tenn. 2006).
State v. Lewis, 36 S.W.3d 88 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000).
State v. Lewis, 919 S.W.2d 62 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995).
Sepulveda v. State, 90 S.W.3d 633 (Tenn. 2002).
State of Tennessee v. Deonte McBee, No. W2007-01719-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Aug. 24, 2009).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(2)(b): 1 case
Charles Williams v. State of Tennessee, No. W2012-00635-CCA-MR3-PC (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 30, 2013).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a): 55 cases
State v. Dorantes, 331 S.W.3d 370 (Tenn. 2011). “Acts 911 (codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a) (Supp.1998)) (emphasis added).”
State v. Thomas, 158 S.W.3d 361 (Tenn. 2005).
David Keen v. State of Tennessee, 398 S.W.3d 594 (Tenn. 2012).
State v. Reid, 164 S.W.3d 286 (Tenn. 2005). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-202(a); -403. The prosecution also relied on the defendant's prior conviction in Texas for the offense of aggravated robbery, which the parties stipulated was a violent felony.”
State v. Williams, 977 S.W.2d 101 (Tenn. 1998).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(1): 350 cases
State v. Faulkner, 154 S.W.3d 48 (Tenn. 2005).
State v. Sims, 45 S.W.3d 1 (Tenn. 2001).
State v. Davidson, 121 S.W.3d 600 (Tenn. 2003). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (1991 & Supp.”
State of Tennessee v. James Hawkins, 519 S.W.3d 1 (Tenn. 2017). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (2014).”
State v. Young, 196 S.W.3d 85 (Tenn. 2006).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(1)(1991): 1 case
State v. Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d 516 (Tenn. 2000).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(1)(2): 2 cases
State of Tennessee v. Antoine Adams, No. W2020-00566-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 30, 2021).
State of Tennessee v. Charles Person-Gibson, No. W2021-01094-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 19, 2022).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2): 289 cases
State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-202, 39-11-403 (1997).”
State v. Godsey, 60 S.W.3d 759 (Tenn. 2001). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(2) & (b).”
State v. Banks, 271 S.W.3d 90 (Tenn. 2008). “Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(l), lust degree murder includes the “premeditated and intentional killing of another.”
Wiley v. State, 183 S.W.3d 317 (Tenn. 2006).
State v. Leach, 148 S.W.3d 42 (Tenn. 2004). “"Premeditation" means that the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2)(1991): 1 case
State v. Buggs, 995 S.W.2d 102 (Tenn. 1999).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2)(1997): 3 cases
King v. State, 992 S.W.2d 946 (Tenn. 1999).
State v. Boyd, 959 S.W.2d 557 (Tenn. 1998).
State v. Townes, 56 S.W.3d 30 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2)(2006): 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Brandon M. Cartwright, No. W2010-01253-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. June 10, 2011).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(3): 3 cases
State v. Morgan, 271 S.W.3d 217 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008).
State v. Ball, No. 03C01-9501-CR-00018 (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 19, 1997).
Timmy Reagan v. State of Tennessee, No. M2009-02291-CCA-R3-PC (Tenn. Crim. App. May 23, 2011).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(4): 12 cases
State v. Ducker, 27 S.W.3d 889 (Tenn. 2000).
State v. Torres, 82 S.W.3d 236 (Tenn. 2002).
State v. DuBose, 953 S.W.2d 649 (Tenn. 1997).
State v. Hale, 840 S.W.2d 307 (Tenn. 1992).
State v. Lacy, 983 S.W.2d 686 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(4)(1993): 1 case
State v. Torres, 82 S.W.3d 236 (Tenn. 2002).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(4)(1994): 1 case
State v. Ducker, 27 S.W.3d 889 (Tenn. 2000).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(l): 63 cases
State v. Hall, 958 S.W.2d 679 (Tenn. 1997). “[8] At the time this offense was committed, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (1991) provided that the "intentional, premeditated and deliberate killing of another" constitutes first degree murder.”
State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651 (Tenn. 1997).
State v. Thacker, 164 S.W.3d 208 (Tenn. 2005).
State v. Davidson, 121 S.W.3d 600 (Tenn. 2003). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (1991 & Supp.”
Finch v. State, 226 S.W.3d 307 (Tenn. 2007).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(l)(1991): 2 cases
State v. Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d 516 (Tenn. 2000).
State v. Morris, 24 S.W.3d 788 (Tenn. 2000).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(b): 115 cases
State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-202, 39-11-403 (1997).”
State v. Thomas, 158 S.W.3d 361 (Tenn. 2005).
State v. Berry, 141 S.W.3d 549 (Tenn. 2004). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i) (1996). Accordingly, the primary concern for a defendant charged with first-degree murder is notice that he or she is facing an enhanced sentence of life without parole or death.”
State v. Banks, 271 S.W.3d 90 (Tenn. 2008). “Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(l), lust degree murder includes the “premeditated and intentional killing of another.”
State of Tennessee v. Corinio Pruitt, 415 S.W.3d 180 (Tenn. 2013).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(b)(1991): 1 case
State v. Cauthern, 967 S.W.2d 726 (Tenn. 1998).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(c): 30 cases
State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-202, 39-11-403 (1997).”
Stephenson v. Carlton, 28 S.W.3d 910 (Tenn. 2000).
State v. Cauthern, 967 S.W.2d 726 (Tenn. 1998).
State v. Henretta, 325 S.W.3d 112 (Tenn. 2010).
State of Tennessee v. Mario Johnson, No. W2019-00934-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. June 19, 2020).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(c)(1): 8 cases
State v. Dellinger, 79 S.W.3d 458 (Tenn. 2002).
State of Tennessee v. Michael Domonic Sales, No. M2025-00116-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 28, 2025).
Danny Ray Lacy v. State of Tennessee, No. M2020-01644-CCA-R3-HC (Tenn. Crim. App. Mar. 7, 2022).
Vernon Motley v. Jerry Lester, Warden, No. W2014-00355-CCA-R3-HC (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 30, 2015).
State of Tennessee v. Robert Guerrero, No. M2014-01669-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 11, 2015).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(c)(2): 3 cases
State of Tennessee v. Urshawn Eric Miller, No. W2019-00197-CCA-R3-DD (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 18, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Tracy Lynn Harris, No. W2020-01564-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. July 23, 2021).
Leo H. Odom v. Tony Parker, Warden, No. W2006-00217-CCA-R3-HC (Tenn. Crim. App. Nov. 13, 2006).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(c)(3): 9 cases
Cyntoia Brown v. Carolyn Jordan, 563 S.W.3d 196 (Tenn. 2018).
David Alan Hunter v. State of Tennessee, No. E2015-02177-CCA-R3-PC (Tenn. Crim. App. Dec. 1, 2016).
Antonio M. Crockett v. State of Tennessee, No. M2018-01416-CCA-R3-PC (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 10, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Urshawn Eric Miller, No. W2019-00197-CCA-R3-DD (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 18, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Brandon Banks, No. W2020-01484-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 22, 2021).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(c)(l): 2 cases
State v. Dellinger, 79 S.W.3d 458 (Tenn. 2002).
State v. Vaughn, 279 S.W.3d 584 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(d): 449 cases
State v. Davidson, 121 S.W.3d 600 (Tenn. 2003). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (1991 & Supp.”
State v. Banks, 271 S.W.3d 90 (Tenn. 2008). “Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(l), lust degree murder includes the “premeditated and intentional killing of another.”
State v. Leach, 148 S.W.3d 42 (Tenn. 2004). “"Premeditation" means that the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself.”
State of Tennessee v. James Hawkins, 519 S.W.3d 1 (Tenn. 2017). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (a)(1) (2014).”
State v. Berry, 141 S.W.3d 549 (Tenn. 2004). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i) (1996). Accordingly, the primary concern for a defendant charged with first-degree murder is notice that he or she is facing an enhanced sentence of life without parole or death.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(e): 26 cases
State of Tennessee v. Darrell Peterson (Tenn. Crim. App. 2025).
State of Tennessee v. Vana Mustafa, No. M2020-01060-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. June 23, 2022).
State of Tennessee v. Kevin Owens, No. W2022-00353-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Dec. 7, 2022).
State of Tennessee v. Warren J. Nostrom, No. E2023-00299-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 25, 2024).
Flemming v. Brun, No. 3:23-cv-00356 (E.D. Tenn. Oct. 11, 2024).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(i)(2): 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Henry Alfred Honea, No. M2009-01500-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 28, 2011).
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