Final answer:
Motive is not a legally required element of first-degree murder, though it is relevant to the case. Legal elements for a conviction include actus reus, mens rea, unlawfulness, and premeditation, not the perpetrator's motive.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Motive is a legally required element of any 1st murder. This statement is False. While motive is a relevant and often important aspect of prosecuting a murder case because it can establish the accused's reason for committing the crime, it is not a requisite legal element. The essential elements that must be proven in a first-degree murder case include the act of killing (actus reus), the intention to kill or cause grievous harm (mens rea), the unlawfulness of the killing, and premeditation or deliberation.
References to landmark cases such as Adams and Proffitt v. Florida concern legal defenses and the constitutionality of the death penalty, respectively, rather than the necessity of motive. Specifically, in Adams, the focus was on the right to self-defense and the impact of provocation on the classification of a homicide. In Proffitt v. Florida, the Supreme Court's decision involved the requirements for a death sentence, not elements of the crime itself.
Therefore, while understanding the motive behind a crime can offer insight into the perpetrator's state of mind and may influence the severity of the punishment, it is not a required component to establish the guilt of first-degree murder.