Murder in Minnesota law

First-degree murder constitutes the killing of an individual under one of the following circumstances.

[4] Without one of the circumstances in bold, the standard sentence for first-degree murder is life-with-parole after 30 years.

Minnesota's rule is unique in the sense that it does not require an independent felony from the elements of murder, so a felony such as assault causing someone's death can result in a defendant being charged with second-degree murder.

There is no mandatory minimum, so hypothetically someone could serve no prison time for second-degree murder.

[9] Third-degree murder in Minnesota is defined as when a perpetrator engages in an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life, or engaging in a drug deal resulting in someone's death.