(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

Malice aforethought is the "premeditation" or "predetermination" required as an element of some crimes in some jurisdictions and a unique element for first-degree or aggravated murder in a few. Wikipedia

In criminal law, mens rea is the mental state of the crime committed and the legal determination of a crime may depend upon both a mental state and actus reus, like the designation of a homicide as murder is a matter of intention to commit a crime or in some jurisdictions knowledge that one's action would cause a crime to be committed. Wikipedia

A legal term Wikipedia Disambiguation

Mental element in criminal law Wikidata

The criminal intent which precedes a crime, especially murder. Wiktionary

A guilty mind, the conscious knowing of a perpetrator while committing an act that the act is illicit. Wiktionary

Guilty mind. Wiktionary (translation)