attempted murder or murder

I would certanly expect a charge of attempted murder against the mother.

In the US, due the sensitivities about keeping abortoin legal, it would be very surprising if any fetus were considered a "person" before almost the full 9 months.

New2grammar

If an attacker caused a pregnant woman to lose her baby, is it an attempted murder or murder?

Thanks in advance.

New2grammar,
From reading your posts, if the pragnant mother was intentionally shot but survived, however, the 5 month old fetus died from the incident,  I would think he is likely charged with
both "attempted murder for shooting the moother and involuntary manslaughter for the death of the fetus".

Of course, I am  not a legal professional but I watch a lot of court dramas and have learned a few things, whether they hold any water in a real case situation is unknown.

 

If a mugger tried to rob an old lady and in the process caused her to die of a heart attack, he can be likely charged with involuntary manslaughter, along with robbery and other possible felony charges.

 

Murder is defined as premeditation and malice with the intent to kill regardless of causes.

 

If a man comes home early and finds his wife in bed with another man, raged by what he saw, he got into a fight with his wife’s lover, subsequently killing him with a knife during the struggle. This scenario is a case of voluntary manslaughter.

It's a great question, and is not likely to go away any time soon.  With the US Supremes tilting to the right the fetus may soon be given voting rights.  The liberal justices are very old and will soon be replaced.

In most cases, murder is defined by the states, especially where there's no applicable federal statute.  You can find a lot of variation across the US re the prosecution of murder, and where the fetus fits in.

Hi,
That's certainly the anti-abortion argument in a nutshell.
Clive