State v. Thompson

OPINION

BERCH, Justice.

¶ 1 Defendant Larry Thompson challenges the constitutionality of Arizona’s first degree murder statute, Ariz.Rev.Stat. (“A.R.S.”) § 13-1105(A)(1) (2001). He argues that the definition of premeditation, which provides that “[p]roof of actual reflection is not required,” eliminates any meaningful distinction between first and second degree murder and renders the first degree murder statute unconstitutionally vague. See A.R.S. § 13-1101(1) (2001). We accepted review to consider the constitutionality of the statute and to clarify both the meaning of premeditation and the…