Utah Code
Utah Code § 76-5-203 (2026)
Murder -- Penalties-- Affirmative defense and special mitigation -- Separate offenses
✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in this section, "predicate offense" means:
a clandestine drug lab violation under Section 76-18-506;
aggravated child abuse, under Subsection 76-5-109.2(3)(a), when the abused individual is younger than 18 years old;
child torture under Section 76-5-109.4;
kidnapping under Section 76-5-301;
child kidnapping under Section 76-5-301.1;
aggravated kidnapping under Section 76-5-302;
rape under Section 76-5-402;
rape of a child under Section 76-5-402.1;
object rape under Section 76-5-402.2;
object rape of a child under Section 76-5-402.3;
forcible sodomy under Section 76-5-403;
sodomy upon a child under Section 76-5-403.1;
forcible sexual abuse under Section 76-5-404;
sexual abuse of a child under Section 76-5-404.1;
aggravated sexual abuse of a child under Section 76-5-404.3;
aggravated sexual assault under Section 76-5-405;
arson under Section 76-6-102;
aggravated arson under Section 76-6-103;
burglary under Section 76-6-202;
aggravated burglary under Section 76-6-203;
robbery under Section 76-6-301;
aggravated robbery under Section 76-6-302;
escape under Section 76-8-309;
aggravated escape under Section 76-8-309.1; or
Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section.
An actor commits murder if:
the actor intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another individual;
intending to cause serious bodily injury to another individual, the actor commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of the other individual;
acting under circumstances evidencing a depraved indifference to human life, the actor knowingly engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death to any individual and thereby causes the death of any individual;
the actor is engaged in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of any predicate offense, or is a party to the predicate offense;
an individual other than a party described in Section 76-2-202 is killed in the course of the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of any predicate offense; and
the actor acted with the intent required as an element of the predicate offense;
the actor recklessly causes the death of a peace officer or military service member while in the commission or attempted commission of:
an assault against a peace officer under Section 76-5-102.4;
interference with a peace officer while making a lawful arrest under Section 76-8-305 if the actor uses force against the peace officer; or
an assault against a military service member under Section 76-5-102.10; or
the actor commits a homicide that would be aggravated murder, but the offense is reduced in accordance with Subsection 76-5-202(4).
A violation of Subsection (2) is a first degree felony.
A defendant who is convicted of murder shall be sentenced to imprisonment for an indeterminate term of not less than 15 years and which may be for life.
Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), if the trier of fact finds the elements of murder, or alternatively, attempted murder, as described in this section are proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and also finds that the existence of special mitigation is established by a preponderance of the evidence and in accordance with Section 76-5-205.5, the court shall enter a judgment of conviction as follows:
if the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty of murder, the court shall enter a judgment of conviction for manslaughter; or
if the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty of attempted murder, the court shall, notwithstanding Subsection 76-4-102(1)(b) or 76-4-102(1)(c), enter a judgment of conviction for attempted manslaughter.
It is an affirmative defense to a charge of murder or attempted murder that the defendant caused the death of another individual or attempted to cause the death of another individual under a reasonable belief that the circumstances provided a legal justification or excuse for the conduct although the conduct was not legally justifiable or excusable under the existing circumstances.
The reasonable belief of the actor under Subsection (4)(a) shall be determined from the viewpoint of a reasonable person under the then existing circumstances.
Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), if the trier of fact finds the elements of murder, or alternatively, attempted murder, as described in this section are proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and also finds the affirmative defense described in this Subsection (4) is not disproven beyond a reasonable doubt, the court shall enter a judgment of conviction as follows:
if the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty of murder, the court shall enter a judgment of conviction for manslaughter; or
if the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty of attempted murder, the court shall enter a judgment of conviction for attempted manslaughter.
Any predicate offense that constitutes a separate offense does not merge with the crime of murder.
An actor who is convicted of murder, based on a predicate offense that constitutes a separate offense, may also be convicted of, and punished for, the separate offense.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 231
cases (22 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986).
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Honie, 2002 UT 4 (Utah 2002). “He also asserts that this legislation fails to channel the death sentencer's discretion or narrow the class of death-eligible murders. He further claims that the aggravated murder statute is vague, contains equal protection problems, and leaves too much discretion *984 with the…”
State v. Bell, 785 P.2d 390 (Utah 1989). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp. 1989) provides in pertinent part: (1) Criminal homicide constitutes murder in the second degree if the actor: (a) intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another; .”
State v. Russell, 733 P.2d 162 (Utah 1987). “, 1953, § 76-5-203, defines three separate and distinct theories upon which the jury could have convicted him.”
State v. Casey, 2003 UT 33 (Utah 2003). “See Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp.2002). We apply the section in effect at the time of the conduct giving rise to the charges.”
State v. Standiford, 769 P.2d 254 (Utah 1988). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp. 1988). Thus, the culpable mental states included in the second degree murder statute are (1) an intent to kill, (2) an intent to inflict serious bodily harm, (3) conduct knowingly engaged in and evidencing a depraved indifference to human life,…”
State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). “See Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (1)(c) (Supp.1983) (amended 1986).”
State v. Dunn, 850 P.2d 1201 (Utah 1993). “Dunn appeals his 1981 jury conviction for second degree murder, Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (1978 & Supp.1979) (amended 1986), and aggravated kidnapping, id.”
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
State v. Low, 192 P.3d 867 (Utah 2008). “§ 76-5-203@8) (1999). The current version of the murder statute provides in part: It is an affirmative defense to a charge of murder or attempted murder that the defendant caused the death of another or attempted to cause the death of another: (i) under the influence of extreme…”
State v. Tillman, 750 P.2d 546 (Utah 1987). “This theory is somewhat similar to our second degree murder statute codified in Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (1)(d) (1978 & Supp.”
State v. Vigil, 842 P.2d 843 (Utah 1992). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (l)(c) (1990) (amended 1991).”
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1) — 12 cases
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Widdison, 2001 UT 60 (Utah 2001).
State v. Velarde, 734 P.2d 449 (Utah 1986).
State v. Bolsinger, 699 P.2d 1214 (Utah 1985).
State v. Haston, 846 P.2d 1276 (Utah 1993).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(a) — 11 cases
State v. Casey, 2003 UT 33 (Utah 2003). “See Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp.2002). We apply the section in effect at the time of the conduct giving rise to the charges.”
State v. Bell, 785 P.2d 390 (Utah 1989). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp. 1989) provides in pertinent part: (1) Criminal homicide constitutes murder in the second degree if the actor: (a) intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another; .”
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Russell, 733 P.2d 162 (Utah 1987). “, 1953, § 76-5-203, defines three separate and distinct theories upon which the jury could have convicted him.”
State v. Petree, 659 P.2d 443 (Utah 1983).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(b) — 3 cases
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
State v. Bolsinger, 699 P.2d 1214 (Utah 1985).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(c) — 4 cases
State v. Bishop, 753 P.2d 439 (Utah 1988). “See Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (1)(c) (Supp.1983) (amended 1986).”
State v. Standiford, 769 P.2d 254 (Utah 1988). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp. 1988). Thus, the culpable mental states included in the second degree murder statute are (1) an intent to kill, (2) an intent to inflict serious bodily harm, (3) conduct knowingly engaged in and evidencing a depraved indifference to human life,…”
State v. Russell, 733 P.2d 162 (Utah 1987). “, 1953, § 76-5-203, defines three separate and distinct theories upon which the jury could have convicted him.”
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(d) — 8 cases
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Honie, 2002 UT 4 (Utah 2002). “He also asserts that this legislation fails to channel the death sentencer's discretion or narrow the class of death-eligible murders. He further claims that the aggravated murder statute is vague, contains equal protection problems, and leaves too much discretion *984 with the…”
State v. Bell, 785 P.2d 390 (Utah 1989). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp. 1989) provides in pertinent part: (1) Criminal homicide constitutes murder in the second degree if the actor: (a) intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another; .”
State v. Bluff, 2002 UT 66 (Utah 2002).
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(e) — 1 case
State v. Pearson, 943 P.2d 1347 (Utah 1997).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(s) — 2 cases
State v. Jones, 2015 UT 19 (Utah 2015).
Jones v. State, 2020 UT App 125 (Utah Ct. App. 2020).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(1)(v) — 4 cases
State v. Bowden, 2019 UT App 167 (Utah Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Henfling, 2020 UT App 129 (Utah Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Martinez, 2019 UT App 166 (Utah Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(2) — 4 cases
State v. Jones, 2015 UT 19 (Utah 2015).
State v. Fitzwater, 2026 UT App 10 (Utah Ct. App. 2026).
State v. Ricks, 2013 UT App 238 (Utah Ct. App. 2013).
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(2)(a) — 19 cases
State v. Hummel, 2017 UT 19 (Utah 2017).
State v. Fitzwater, 2026 UT App 10 (Utah Ct. App. 2026).
State v. Maestas, 299 P.3d 892 (Utah 2012).
State v. Reece, 2015 UT 45 (Utah 2015).
State v. Campos, 2013 UT App 213 (Utah Ct. App. 2013).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(2)(b) — 5 cases
State v. Hales, 2007 UT 14 (Utah 2007).
State v. Diaz-Arevalo, 2008 UT App 219 (Utah Ct. App. 2008).
State v. Hosman, 2021 UT App 103 (Utah Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Lolani, 2025 UT App 138 (Utah Ct. App. 2025).
State v. Jennings, 2025 UT 1 (Utah 2025).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(2)(c) — 5 cases
State v. Hales, 2007 UT 14 (Utah 2007).
State v. Diaz-Arevalo, 2008 UT App 219 (Utah Ct. App. 2008).
State v. Carrera, 2022 UT App 100 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Thompson, 2017 UT App 183 (Utah Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Carrera, 2022 UT App 100 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(2)(d) — 3 cases
State v. Graham, 2006 UT 43 (Utah 2006).
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
State v. Hogue, 2025 UT App 88 (Utah Ct. App. 2025).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3) — 5 cases
State v. Shumway, 2002 UT 124 (Utah 2002).
State v. Lebeau, 2014 UT 39 (Utah 2014).
State v. Milligan, 2011 UT App 390 (Utah Ct. App. 2011).
State v. Coonce, 36 P.3d 533 (Utah Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Low, 2008 UT 38 (Utah 2008).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(a)(i) — 1 case
State v. Spillers, 116 P.3d 985 (Utah Ct. App. 2005).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(a)(ii) — 2 cases
State v. Spillers, 116 P.3d 985 (Utah Ct. App. 2005).
State v. Bluemel, 2023 UT App 142 (Utah Ct. App. 2023).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(b) — 1 case
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(b)(i) — 1 case
State v. Spillers, 116 P.3d 985 (Utah Ct. App. 2005).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(b)(ii) — 1 case
State v. Shumway, 2002 UT 124 (Utah 2002).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(c) — 1 case
State v. Spillers, 116 P.3d 985 (Utah Ct. App. 2005).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(3)(ii) — 1 case
Todd (D. Utah 2026).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4) — 7 cases
State v. Low, 192 P.3d 867 (Utah 2008). “§ 76-5-203@8) (1999). The current version of the murder statute provides in part: It is an affirmative defense to a charge of murder or attempted murder that the defendant caused the death of another or attempted to cause the death of another: (i) under the influence of extreme…”
State v. Walker, 2010 UT App 157 (Utah Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Drej, 2010 UT 35 (Utah 2010).
State v. Henfling, 2020 UT App 129 (Utah Ct. App. 2020).
State v. White, 2009 UT App 81 (Utah Ct. App. 2009).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(a) — 14 cases
State v. Silva, 2019 UT 36 (Utah 2019).
State v. White, 2011 UT 21 (Utah 2011).
State v. Low, 192 P.3d 867 (Utah 2008). “§ 76-5-203@8) (1999). The current version of the murder statute provides in part: It is an affirmative defense to a charge of murder or attempted murder that the defendant caused the death of another or attempted to cause the death of another: (i) under the influence of extreme…”
Arriaga v. State, 2020 UT 37 (Utah 2020).
State v. Sanders, 2019 UT 25 (Utah 2019).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(a)(i) — 1 case
State v. White, 2011 UT 21 (Utah 2011).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(a)(ii) — 2 cases
State v. Low, 192 P.3d 867 (Utah 2008). “§ 76-5-203@8) (1999). The current version of the murder statute provides in part: It is an affirmative defense to a charge of murder or attempted murder that the defendant caused the death of another or attempted to cause the death of another: (i) under the influence of extreme…”
State v. Low, 2008 UT 38 (Utah 2008).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(b) — 2 cases
State v. White, 2011 UT 21 (Utah 2011).
State v. Johnson, 2025 UT App 13 (Utah Ct. App. 2025).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(c) — 4 cases
Ross v. State, 293 P.3d 345 (Utah 2012).
State v. White, 2011 UT 21 (Utah 2011).
State v. Hernandez, 2024 UT App 71 (Utah Ct. App. 2024).
State v. White, 2009 UT App 81 (Utah Ct. App. 2009).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(c)(i) — 2 cases
State v. Bonds, 2022 UT 30 (Utah 2022).
State v. Flynn, 2022 UT App 89 (Utah Ct. App. 2022).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(4)(d) — 3 cases
Ross v. State, 293 P.3d 345 (Utah 2012).
State v. Low, 192 P.3d 867 (Utah 2008). “§ 76-5-203@8) (1999). The current version of the murder statute provides in part: It is an affirmative defense to a charge of murder or attempted murder that the defendant caused the death of another or attempted to cause the death of another: (i) under the influence of extreme…”
State v. Low, 2008 UT 38 (Utah 2008).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(5) — 2 cases
Salt Lake City v. Josephson, 2019 UT 6 (Utah 2019).
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(5)(a) — 4 cases
State v. Martinez, 2019 UT App 166 (Utah Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Henfling, 2020 UT App 129 (Utah Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Lopez, 2020 UT App 101 (Utah Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(5)(b) — 2 cases
State v. Martinez, 2019 UT App 166 (Utah Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Martinez, 2021 UT 38 (Utah 2021).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(8) — 1 case
State v. Milligan, 2012 UT App 47 (Utah Ct. App. 2012).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(8)(b) — 1 case
State v. Guadarrama, 2015 UT App 77 (Utah Ct. App. 2015).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(a) — 2 cases
State v. Cloud, 722 P.2d 750 (Utah 1986).
State v. Smith, 675 P.2d 521 (Utah 1983).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(d) — 1 case
State v. Fedorowicz, 2002 UT 67 (Utah 2002).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(l) — 1 case
State v. Vigil, 842 P.2d 843 (Utah 1992). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (l)(c) (1990) (amended 1991).”
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(l)(a) — 14 cases
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Vigil, 842 P.2d 843 (Utah 1992). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (l)(c) (1990) (amended 1991).”
State v. Velarde, 734 P.2d 440 (Utah 1986).
State v. Frame, 723 P.2d 401 (Utah 1986).
State v. Russell, 733 P.2d 162 (Utah 1987). “, 1953, § 76-5-203, defines three separate and distinct theories upon which the jury could have convicted him.”
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(l)(b) — 2 cases
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
State v. Clayton, 646 P.2d 723 (Utah 1982).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(l)(c) — 11 cases
State v. Fontana, 680 P.2d 1042 (Utah 1984).
State v. Standiford, 769 P.2d 254 (Utah 1988). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (Supp. 1988). Thus, the culpable mental states included in the second degree murder statute are (1) an intent to kill, (2) an intent to inflict serious bodily harm, (3) conduct knowingly engaged in and evidencing a depraved indifference to human life,…”
State v. Russell, 733 P.2d 162 (Utah 1987). “, 1953, § 76-5-203, defines three separate and distinct theories upon which the jury could have convicted him.”
State v. Vigil, 842 P.2d 843 (Utah 1992). “Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-203 (l)(c) (1990) (amended 1991).”
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(l)(d) — 7 cases
State v. Hansen, 734 P.2d 421 (Utah 1986). “(d) While in the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of aggravated robbery, robbery, rape, forcible sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping,…”
State v. Honie, 2002 UT 4 (Utah 2002). “He also asserts that this legislation fails to channel the death sentencer's discretion or narrow the class of death-eligible murders. He further claims that the aggravated murder statute is vague, contains equal protection problems, and leaves too much discretion *984 with the…”
State v. Jones, 734 P.2d 473 (Utah 1987).
State v. Norton, 675 P.2d 577 (Utah 1983). “§ 76-5-203(1)(a) (intent to cause death); § 76-5-203(1)(b) (intent to cause serious bodily injury).”
Codianna v. Morris, 660 P.2d 1101 (Utah 1983).
— Utah Code § 76-5-203(l)(e) — 1 case
State v. Pearson, 943 P.2d 1347 (Utah 1997).
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