Ensañamiento is intentional aggravation of crime. I think intentional is enough.

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Note added at 12 mins (2006-04-17 12:58:37 GMT)
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Also, intentional murder.

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Note added at 16 mins (2006-04-17 13:02:51 GMT)
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Pablo, podrías agregar Malicious si quisieras reforzar la intención.
Malicious murder or homicide.

I believe this is the term in the UK

La diferencia entre homicidio (Manslaughter) y asesinato (Murder) es la falta de premeditación, intención y alevosía. El homicidio ocurre como consecuencia de un arranque de ira.
En caso de que exista la premeditación se le considera asesinato (Murder)

This is what they call in the U.S.
Check the definition below. It´s taken from the U.S. Criminal Code (§ 1111. Murder).

(a) Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. Every murder perpetrated by poison, lying in wait, or any other kind of willful, deliberate, malicious, and premeditated killing; or committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, any arson, escape, murder, kidnapping, treason, espionage, sabotage, aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse, child abuse, burglary, or robbery; or perpetrated as part of a pattern or practice of assault or torture against a child or children; or perpetrated from a premeditated design unlawfully and maliciously to effect the death of any human being other than him who is killed, is murder in the first degree.
Any other murder is murder in the second degree.

murder in the first degree with cruelty
first degree murder with cruelty
murder by torture

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"Whoever is guilty of MURDER COMMITTED WITH DELIBERATELY PREMEDITATED MALICE AFORETHOUGHT OR WITH EXTREME ATROCITY OR CRUELTY, and who had attained the age of eighteen years at the time of the murder, may suffer the punishment of death pursuant to the procedures set forth in sections sixty-eight to seventy-one, inclusive, of chapter two hundred and seventy-nine. Any other person who is guilty of murder in the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life."24
If the jury specify MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE WITH DELIBERATE PREMEDITATION OR WITH EXTREME ATROCITY OR CRUELTY, the judge must then conduct a presentence hearing.
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/coloncruz.rtf
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murder by torture: A murder preceded by the intencional infliction of pain and suffering on the victim.

“In some jurisdcitons, a murder by torture may constitute murder in the first degree. It occurs when a defendant intencionally inflicts pain and suffering upon his victim for the purpose of revenge, extortion or persuasion.” 2 Charles E. Torcia, Wharton’s Criminal Law § 144, at 281 (15th ed. 1994).
(Black’s Law Dictionary, 8th Edition, ISBN 0-314-15199-0)
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UNCORRECTED PROOF OF SENATE JOURNAL FOR 6/2/98 - [ Traduzca esta página ]
Upon a judgment of conviction of murder in the first degree and the affirmance thereof by the ... or murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty or both. ...
www.mass.gov/legis/journal/sj060298.htm - 513k - En caché - Páginas similares


Senate Bill, No. 988 - [ Traduzca esta página ]
In all cases of murder in the first degree, in which the penalty of death ... aforethought or murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty by an individual who ...
www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st00/st00988.htm - 34k - En caché - Páginas similares


On the Horns of a Dilemma: Accuracy vs. Brevity in the Use of ... - [ Traduzca esta página ]
... or perpetrating the murder with particular cruelty or atrocity. ... first-degree murder - asesinato en primer grado, asesinato premeditado ...
www.acebo.com/papers/homicide.htm - 42k - En caché - Páginas similares


ALASKA STATUTES *** CURRENT THRU 2000 SUPP & CONSTITUTIONAL ... - [ Traduzca esta página ]
These benchmarks are applicable to all aggravated cases because of: (1) ... Sentence of eight-year presumptive term for first-degree sexual abuse of a minor ...
hatemonitor.csusb.edu/other_states/Alaska(c22)html.htm - 113k - En caché - Páginas similares

[RTF] COMMONWEALTH vs
Formato de archivo: Rich Text Format - Versión en HTML
Four men who were awaiting trial on first degree murder indictments which might ... with deliberate premeditation, murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty, ...
www.lawlib.state.ma.us/coloncruz.rtf - Páginas similares


Senate Bill, No. 988 - [ Traduzca esta página ]
In all cases of murder in the first degree, in which the penalty of death may be ... (8) the murder involved torture to the victim or the intentional ...
www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st00/st00988.htm - 34k - En caché - Páginas similares


ALASKA STATUTES *** CURRENT THRU 2000 SUPP & CONSTITUTIONAL ... - [ Traduzca esta página ]
Sentence of eight-year presumptive term for first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and ... murder acted with deliberate cruelty was not clearly mistaken. ...
hatemonitor.csusb.edu/other_states/Alaska(c22)html.htm - 113k - En caché - Páginas similares

[PDF] 2005 PFC
Formato de archivo: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Versión en HTML
torture; (15) IN A drive-by shooting; (16) A person 60 or older, with “ . . . wanton cruelty;”. (17) A disabled person; (18) because the victim was A ...
aafc.org/Other_Documents/Penalties.pdf - Resultado Suplementario - Páginas similares



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Note added at 4 hrs (2006-04-17 16:53:40 GMT)
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Quienes han mencionado “asesinato” en contraposición a “homicidio”, deben tener en cuenta que existen legislaciones, entre ellas la venezolana, que no contemplan ningún delito con el nombre de “asesinato”, sino diversas clases de homicidios.

En la clase “homicidios calificados”, el Código Penal venezolano contempla el “homicidio por motivos fútiles o innobles”, anteriormente denominado “homicidio con brutal ferocidad”, equivalente al “homicidio con ensañamiento”, el cual, de acuerdo con las referencias copiadas arriba, podríamos llamar “first degree murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty”.


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Note added at 5 hrs (2006-04-17 18:14:57 GMT)
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Quienes han mencionado “asesinato” en contraposición a “homicidio”, deben tener en cuenta que existen legislaciones, entre ellas la venezolana, que no contemplan ningún delito con el nombre de “asesinato”, sino diversas clases de homicidios.

En la clase “homicidios calificados”, el Código Penal venezolano contempla el “homicidio por motivos fútiles o innobles”, anteriormente denominado “homicidio con brutal ferocidad”, equivalente al “homicidio con ensañamiento”, el cual, de acuerdo con las referencias copiadas arriba, podríamos llamar “first degree murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty”.

Pablo, consultá este enlace que es muy bueno como referencia http://www.acebo.com/papers/homicide.htm

The term "murder" refers to killing someone in the most heinous way, not just taking the victim's life but doing so in a particularly violent or malicious way. According to Black's Law Dictionary,

Criminal homicide constitutes murder when: (a) it is committed purposely or knowingly; or (b) it is committed recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. Such recklessness and indifference are presumed if the actor is engaged or is an accomplice in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit robbery rape or deviate sexual intercourse by force or threat of force, arson, burglary, kidnapping or felonious escape. Model Penal Code, §210.
One of the most important features distinguishing murder from lesser forms of homicide is the notion of "malice aforethought." This is a rather enigmatic term that sources seem to have difficulty defining without employing that circuitous logic that drives dictionary users insane: using the term itself in the definition. For example, Black's Law Dictionary cites one precedent decision in which the term is defined as "a malicious design to injure." It goes on to quote other precedent decisions in which the term is defined as "(t)he intentional doing of an unlawful act which was determined upon before it was executed" and "(a)n intent, at the time of killing, willfully to take the life of a human being, or an intent willfully to act in callous and wanton disregard of the consequences to human life." The California Jury Instructions further state that "The mental state constituting malice aforethought does not necessarily require any ill will or hatred of the person killed. The word 'aforethought' does not imply deliberation or the lapse of considerable time. It only means that the required mental state must precede rather than follow the act." Thus, the ordinary meanings of "malice" as ill will or malevolence, and of "aforethought" as planning something ahead of time, do not necessarily hold true. The idea of "intent" seems to be more important than any other factor in constituting malice aforethought.
[...]
The real problem arises with the adjectives "voluntary" and "involuntary" that usually accompany the term "manslaughter." There are abundant variations on the homicide theme in Spanish legal doctrine, but whether a precise equivalent for the English term can be found is another question entirely. For example, the Diccionario de derecho penal by Amado Ezaine Chávez lists the following types of homicide: homicidio calificado (discussed in connection with "murder," above), homicidio por emoción violenta, homicidio consentido, homicidio culposo, homicidio doloso, homicidio en riña, homicidio legítimo, homicidio por caso fortuito, homicidio preterintencional o ultraintencional, homicidio simple, and homicidio-suicidio. The Vocabulario de derecho y ciencias sociales by Rogelio Moreno Rodríguez, in addition to some of the terms mentioned above, lists homicidio alevoso, **homicidio con ensañamiento (both of which correspond more closely to "murder," as noted above)**, homicidio concausal, homicidio eugenésico, homicidio pasional, homicidio piadoso, and homicidio premeditado (ditto regarding "murder"). Quite a list for the hapless interpreter to choose from. Obviously, we must delve further into the definitions of these terms.

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Note added at 44 mins (2006-04-17 13:30:51 GMT)
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HOMICIDE DEFINED

According to Black's Law Dictionary, homicide is "(t)he killing of one human being by the act, procurement, or omission of another. The act of a human being in taking away the life of another human being." The dictionary goes on to note that "the term 'homicide' is neutral; while it describes the act, it pronounces no judgment on its moral or legal quality." In other words, killing someone is not necessarily a crime; it depends on the circumstances. In the case of an accident or an act of self-defense that results in a person's death, the term "excusable homicide" applies, and no criminal charges are filed. Similarly, if someone dies as a result of an act carried out in the line of duty, such as when a police officer kills someone to stop a felony in progress, the act is considered "justifiable homicide" and is not a crime.

When homicide is considered a crime, it is known as criminal or felonious homicide (not to be confused with felony murder, about which more later). Within the general category of criminal homicide are murder (subdivided into first- and second-degree murder in many states), manslaughter (often classified as voluntary, involuntary, or vehicular), and other forms of homicide such as negligent or reckless homicide. Not every state in the United States recognizes each of these subcategories, but the general distinction between murder and manslaughter is accepted everywhere.

Claro que habría que ver de qué países se trata -

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Note added at 11 hrs (2006-04-18 00:44:43 GMT)
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Los sistemas jurídicos varían de un país a otro, e incluso de un estado a otro. De todos modos, creo que si has leido el artículo de Holly Mikkelson, estarás informado como para tomar una buena decisión. Para EE.UU. "(first degree) murder" parecería ser el equivalente más cercano.


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Note added at 12 hrs (2006-04-18 01:33:09 GMT)
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In Australia,

Unlawful Killing: The Difference Between Murder and Manslaughter

"Homicide" is the general term used to describe offences which cause fatal harm. Homicide may be lawful where the killing was done in self-defence. Unlawful forms of homicide are divided into two categories: murder and manslaughter.

The actus reus of both murder and manslaughter is the same, causing the death of another person. The fault element, ie mens rea, distinguishes the offences. Murder requires mens rea, an intention to kill or inflict grievous bodily harm (hereafter GBH), or recklessness. Manslaughter, on the other hand, does not require an intention to cause death. The fault for manslaughter is divided into two categories: death which results from unlawful dangerous act and death which results from criminal negligence.

http://law.anu.edu.au/criminet/tmurder.html#E10E3

En el improbable caso de que la traducción sea para Australia mirá este sitio, es una referencia buena y confiable.

Enough from me now - hope you find this helpful :)