Attempted Murder?

[steepholm]

If I shoot someone, intending to murder them, only to find that that they were already dead when I fired the gun, does that still count as attempted murder under English law? And if not, what law have I broken - if any?

I hasten to add that this situation is purely hypothetical.

Comments

[intertext.livejournal.com]

What if you aimed a gun at someone and he/she died of a heart attack from fear (or grief at your betrayal)? Then I would think you'd be culpable, no?

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you would, though whether for murder, manslaughter or threatening behaviour, I'm not certain. I rather like the grief option! Existential crime is grossly underreported these days.