What is the definition of Criminal Homicide - Murder?

The definition of Criminal Homicide - Murder is accurately captured by the understanding that it involves the willful killing of one human being by another. This definition emphasizes the intentionality behind the act, distinguishing murder from other forms of homicide such as manslaughter or accidental death, which may involve negligence or lack of intent. In legal terms, for an act to be classified as murder, there must be a clear intention to cause death or serious injury.

In contrast, acts described in the other options lack this intentionality. For instance, gross negligence may lead to an unintended death but doesn't involve a purposeful act to kill, and self-defense situations typically entail an immediate threat where the act of killing, albeit intentional, is justified and not considered murder under the law. Accidental deaths are simply that—unintentional occurrences—and do not fit the definition of murder. Thus, the distinction of willful intent in the selected definition is crucial in understanding what constitutes criminal homicide in legal contexts.