And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die: he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death — the law now distinguishes murder (intentional killing with malice aforethought) from manslaughter (unintentional killing). If death results from an iron weapon-stroke, the presumption is murder, and capital punishment is mandatory. The instrument itself (iron, suggesting a weapon rather than accident) implies intent.

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