Capital murder is a type of homicide that is considered more severe than any other type of murder. It is defined as a murder that is punishable by death. Capital murder is the most severe form of homicide in Texas and involves specific aggravating circumstances that elevate it beyond a standard murder charge. In Texas, a murder is considered “capital” if it meets certain criteria, such as the victim being a peace officer or firefighter, under the age of 10, the murder being committed during the commission of another felony offense, or the murder being committed for payment or promise of payment.

Capital murder is the only offense that can be charged as a capital felony in Texas, and if found guilty, the defendant can be sentenced to execution. The punishment for capital murder varies from state to state, but the original punishment for this charge is death. Capital murder charges come in a few different forms, such as when the murder is intentional and occurs in the process of carrying out other felonies, or when the murder is of an aggravated nature, exacerbating what is already murder but with greater intent or callousness.

Some of the special circumstances that may apply to capital murder include homicide of a police officer, multiple victims, a homicide that involves torture, murder of an elderly person, murder of a child, and murder for hire. Capital murder is a serious offense, and the punishment for it is severe.