22-16-5. Premeditated design to effect the death defined.

The term, premeditated design to effect the death, means an intention, purpose, or determination to kill or take the life of the person killed, distinctly formed and existing in the mind of the perpetrator before committing the act resulting in the death of the person killed. A premeditated design to effect death sufficient to constitute murder may be formed instantly before committing the act.

Source: SDC 1939, § 13.2008; SL 1978, ch 158, § 8; SL 2005, ch 120, § 155.