Which crime is committed if a person unlawfully kills another human being with malice?

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The crime committed when a person unlawfully kills another human being with malice is classified as murder. In legal terms, murder is distinguished by the presence of malice aforethought, which refers to an intentional, premeditated action leading to the death of another person. This malice can manifest as an intent to kill, an intent to cause serious bodily harm, or a disregard for human life.

Manslaughter, in contrast, typically involves a lack of malice; it occurs in situations where a person kills another without premeditation, often in a state of provocation or during a sudden altercation. Homicide is a broader category that encompasses both murder and manslaughter, referring generally to the act of one human killing another. Assault, on the other hand, involves causing apprehension of imminent harm or actual physical injury but does not necessarily result in death. Therefore, the specific terminology of murder correctly reflects the legal implications of the act described in the question.

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