article_snippet: After all, the U.S. federal government lists dozens of capital offenses that are punishable by death, and not all of dozens of capital offenses that are punishable by death involve a victim's life being taken.  
article_snippet: dozens of capital offenses that are punishable by death fall into three main categories: 1) homicide offenses; 2) espionage and treason; and 3) nonhomicidal narcotics offenses.  
article_snippet: While most of dozens of capital offenses that are punishable by death involve the death of a victim, not all of dozens of capital offenses that are punishable by death do.
article_snippet: While it varies from state to state, as a very general proposition, the death penalty is almost universally reserved for the crime of murder.  
article_snippet: Murder is a subcategory of the broader class of homicide, and death penalty crimes are normally a subcategory of murder.
article_snippet: As another very general proposition in the States, murder -- plus something on top that makes it more egregious -- is what will qualify as a capital crime.
article_snippet: It would be nice to say that capital murder in the States is always defined as an intentional killing, but even that has exceptions.  
article_snippet: In fact, in some states, you can be executed for a victim's death even if you didn't actually pull the trigger and even if you never intended a death to result.
article_snippet: If you commit an inherently dangerous felony, and a death results, you can be charged with "felony murder," which in some states qualifies you for the death penalty.  
article_snippet: As a general rule, horrific murders qualify, but sometimes a nonhomicide crime such as espionage qualifies.
article_snippet: So what exactly will earn you the death penalty?  
article_snippet: A killing plus something that makes it even worse than your garden variety homicide.  
highlights_snippet: U.S. federal government lists dozens of capital offenses punishable by death .
  