Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (2026)
Second degree murder
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) Second degree murder is:
- (1) A knowing killing of another;
- (2) A killing of another that results from the unlawful distribution of any Schedule I or Schedule II drug, when the drug is the proximate cause of the death of the user; or
- (3) A killing of another by unlawful distribution or unlawful delivery or unlawful dispensation of fentanyl or carfentanil, when those substances alone, or in combination with any substance scheduled as a controlled substance by the Tennessee Drug Control Act of 1989, compiled in chapter 17, part 4 of this title and in title 53, chapter 11, parts 3 and 4, including controlled substance analogs, is the proximate cause of the death of the user.
- (b) In a prosecution for a violation of this section, if the defendant knowingly engages in multiple incidents of domestic abuse, assault or the infliction of bodily injury against a single victim, the trier of fact may infer that the defendant was aware that the cumulative effect of the conduct was reasonably certain to result in the death of the victim, regardless of whether any single incident would have resulted in the death.
- (c)
- (1) Second degree murder is a Class A felony.
- (2) Notwithstanding the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989, compiled in title 40, chapter 35, a person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a)(2) where the victim is a minor shall be punished from within one (1) range higher than the sentencing range otherwise appropriate for the person.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 995,s 1, eff. 7/1/2018.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 934,s 2, eff. 7/1/2018.
Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; T.C.A., § 39-13-206; Acts 1990, ch. 980, § 6; 1990, ch. 1038, § 4; 1995, ch. 460, § 2; 2006, ch. 967, § 2.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 687
cases (89 in the last 5 years), 1993–2026 · leading case: State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001).
State v. Ely, 48 S.W.3d 710 (Tenn. 2001). “See Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-210, -212, -213 (1997).”
State v. Suttles, 30 S.W.3d 252 (Tenn. 2000). “(This intent was, however, unfortunately reignited when the victim fled toward the restaurant.”
State v. Ivy, 549 U.S. 914 (2006). “Indeed, second degree murder requires a knowing killing of another, Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (Supp.1990), and especially aggravated robbery requires a robbery accomplished with a deadly weapon where the victim suffered serious bodily injury.”
State v. Thomas, 158 S.W.3d 361 (Tenn. 2005). “" Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2) (2003). Second degree murder requires evidence of "[a] knowing killing of another.”
State v. Bordis, 905 S.W.2d 214 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). “” Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1) (Supp.1990).”
State of Tennessee v. Marlo Davis, 466 S.W.3d 49 (Tenn. 2015). “Second degree murder is defined as “[a] knowing killing of another,” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (a)(1) (2006), and is a “result of conduct” offense.”
State v. Gilliam, 901 S.W.2d 385 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). “The crux of the appellant's argument is that second-degree murder under our present law, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (a)(1), is not a lesser included offense of first-degree murder committed in the perpetration of theft, Tenn.”
State v. Cribbs, 967 S.W.2d 773 (Tenn. 1998). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (a) (1997 Repl.”
State v. Vann, 976 S.W.2d 93 (Tenn. 1998). “Under Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1) (1991), second-degree murder requires proof of a knowing killing.”
State of Tennessee v. Joey DeWayne Thompson, 285 S.W.3d 840 (Tenn. 2009). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (1997). Similarly, as to Count III in the first trial, the attempt to commit the first degree murder of Burgins, proof of premeditation to the satisfaction of the jury was essential to a conviction.”
State v. Page, 81 S.W.3d 781 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2002). “§ 39-13-210(a)(1). “Knowing” is defined by statute as follows: “Knowing” refers to a person who acts knowingly with respect to the conduct or to circumstances surrounding the conduct when the person is aware of the nature of the conduct or that the circumstances exist.”
State v. Ruane, 912 S.W.2d 766 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). “Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-210 and 40-35-112.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(0): 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Douglas McArthur Wilson, No. M2017-00432-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 7, 2018).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(1): 1 case
State v. Bolden, 979 S.W.2d 587 (Tenn. 1998).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(1)(a): 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Kemontea Dovon McKinney, No. M2020-00950-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 5, 2022).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a): 20 cases
State v. Thomas, 158 S.W.3d 361 (Tenn. 2005). “" Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2) (2003). Second degree murder requires evidence of "[a] knowing killing of another.”
State v. Cribbs, 967 S.W.2d 773 (Tenn. 1998). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (a) (1997 Repl.”
State v. Brown, 311 S.W.3d 422 (Tenn. 2010).
State of Tennessee v. Brandon Scott Donaldson, No. E2020-01561-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 21, 2022).
State of Tennessee v. Jonathan Michael Brown, No. E2013-00570-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Mar. 6, 2014).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1): 162 cases
State v. Bordis, 905 S.W.2d 214 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). “” Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1) (Supp.1990).”
State of Tennessee v. Marlo Davis, 466 S.W.3d 49 (Tenn. 2015). “Second degree murder is defined as “[a] knowing killing of another,” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210 (a)(1) (2006), and is a “result of conduct” offense.”
State v. Vann, 976 S.W.2d 93 (Tenn. 1998). “Under Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1) (1991), second-degree murder requires proof of a knowing killing.”
State v. Bonds, 502 S.W.3d 118 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2015).
State v. Ward, 138 S.W.3d 245 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2003).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1)(2014): 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Quinisha Renee Brabson, No. E2013-02335-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 29, 2014).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(2): 8 cases
State of Tennessee v. Phillip Pack, 421 S.W.3d 629 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2013).
State of Tennessee Tommy Lynn Rutherford, No. E2019-00063-CCA-R3-CD, 2020 WL 587078 (Tenn. Crim. App. Feb. 5, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Antwan Jacques Whitehead, No. M2023-01458-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 3, 2024).
Kenyon Demario Reynolds, No. E2023-01441-CCA-R3-PC (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 14, 2024).
State of Tennessee v. Charles Hubert Russell, No. M2025-00261-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Mar. 31, 2026).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(3): 4 cases
State of Tennessee v. Barry J. Zbleski, Jr., No. M2025-00645-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 30, 2026).
State of Tennessee v. Wesley Allen Lacey, No. E2025-00295-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 24, 2026).
State of Tennessee v. Tina Nichole Lewis, No. M2019-01670-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. June 23, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Antwan Jacques Whitehead, No. M2023-01458-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 3, 2024).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(l): 11 cases
State v. Parker, 350 S.W.3d 883 (Tenn. 2011).
State v. Page, 81 S.W.3d 781 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2002). “§ 39-13-210(a)(1). “Knowing” is defined by statute as follows: “Knowing” refers to a person who acts knowingly with respect to the conduct or to circumstances surrounding the conduct when the person is aware of the nature of the conduct or that the circumstances exist.”
State v. Vann, 976 S.W.2d 93 (Tenn. 1998). “Under Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-210(a)(1) (1991), second-degree murder requires proof of a knowing killing.”
State of Tennessee v. Dale Keith Larkin, 443 S.W.3d 751 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2013).
State v. Madden, 99 S.W.3d 127 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2002).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(b): 5 cases
Timothy D. Qualls v. Ricky J. Bell, Warden, No. M2008-01246-CCA-R3-HC (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 28, 2009).
State of Tennessee v. Treacy F. Lewis, No. M2002-01694-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Dec. 16, 2003).
State of Tennessee v. Maurice Lamont Davidson, No. M2002-00178-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 22, 2003).
State of Tennessee v. Andre D. Kimbrough, No. M2001-02149-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Dec. 3, 2002).
State of Tennessee v. Damien Marcess Jackson, No. M2000-00763-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. July 18, 2001).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(c): 16 cases
Hoover v. State, 215 S.W.3d 776 (Tenn. 2007).
State of Tennessee v. Travis Tate, No. W2014-02102-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 31, 2016).
State of Tennessee v. Joseph A. Cundiff, No. M2015-00563-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 6, 2016).
State of Tennessee v. Octavius Flynn & Derrick Benson, No. W2015-01648-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 5, 2017).
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Russell, No. M2017-01152-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Aug. 3, 2018).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-210(c)(1): 8 cases
State of Tennessee v. Shun M. Ramey, No. M2019-00755-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Apr. 24, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Christopher W. Gadsden, No. M2019-01385-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Nov. 19, 2020).
State of Tennessee v. Jessie James Somerville, IV, No. W2020-00105-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Mar. 29, 2021).
State of Tennessee v. Clark Derrick Frazier, No. M2021-00172-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 25, 2021).
State of Tennessee v. Roy Michael Ford, No. E2021-00780-CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App. May 19, 2022).
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