Source: http://www.ussc.gov/guidelines-manual/2006/2006-2a11
Timestamp: 2016-05-05 06:45:15
Document Index: 83197217

Matched Legal Cases: ['§2', '§ 1111', '§ 848', '§ 3553', '§2', '§ 3591', '§ 848']

2006 2a1_1 | United States Sentencing Commission Skip to main content
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2006 Federal Sentencing GuidelinesCHAPTER TWO - PART A - OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON1. HOMICIDE §2A1.1. First Degree Murder(a) Base Offense Level: 43CommentaryStatutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111, 1841(a)(2)(C), 2113(e), 2118(c)(2), 2332b(a)(1), 2340A; 21 U.S.C.
§ 848(e). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).Application Notes:
1. Applicability of Guideline.—This guideline applies in cases of premeditated killing. This guideline also
applies when death results from the commission of certain felonies. For example, this guideline may be
applied as a result of a cross reference (e.g., a kidnapping in which death occurs), or in cases in which the
offense level of a guideline is calculated using the underlying crime (e.g., murder in aid of racketeering). 2. Imposition of Life Sentence.—
(A) Offenses Involving Premeditated Killing.—In the case of premeditated killing, life imprisonment is the
appropriate sentence if a sentence of death is not imposed. A downward departure would not be appropriate
in such a case. A downward departure from a mandatory statutory term of life imprisonment is permissible
only in cases in which the government files a motion for a downward departure for the defendant’s
substantial assistance, as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e).
(B) Felony Murder.—If the defendant did not cause the death intentionally or knowingly, a downward
departure may be warranted. For example, a downward departure may be warranted if in robbing a bank,
the defendant merely passed a note to the teller, as a result of which the teller had a heart attack and died. The extent of the departure should be based upon the defendant’s state of mind (e.g., recklessness or
negligence), the degree of risk inherent in the conduct, and the nature of the underlying offense conduct. However, departure below the minimum guideline sentence provided for second degree murder in §2A1.2
(Second Degree Murder) is not likely to be appropriate. Also, because death obviously is an aggravating
factor, it necessarily would be inappropriate to impose a sentence at a level below that which the guideline
for the underlying offense requires in the absence of death.
3. Applicability of Guideline When Death Sentence Not Imposed.—If the defendant is sentenced pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. § 3591 et seq. or 21 U.S.C. § 848(e), a sentence of death may be imposed under the specific provisions contained in that statute. This guideline applies when a sentence of death is
not imposed under those specific provisions.
amendment 82); November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 310); November 1, 1993 (see Appendix
C, amendment 476); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 637); November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 663); November 1, 2006 (see Appendix C, amendment 685). NewsPress Releases and News Advisories