Young v. State

In Young v. State, 849 P.2d 754, 759 (Wyo. 1993), the Court drew a clear distinction between first-degree murder and second-degree murder stating: "The difference between first degree murder and second degree murder is the element of premeditation and, to commit first degree murder, the defendant must have killed purposely while, to commit second degree murder, the defendant is only required to have acted purposely." First-degree murder is a specific intent crime requiring proof the defendant killed purposely and with premeditation. 849 P.2d at 759. On the other hand, second-degree murder is a crime of general intent requiring only proof of acting purposely or voluntarily. Id.