c. 265, § 16
Attempt to murder
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever to commit murder by poisoning, drowning or strangling another person, or by any means not constituting an assault with intent to commit murder, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than twenty years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two and one half years.
Simplified explanation
Attempting to murder someone by poisoning, drowning, strangling, or other means not amounting to assault with intent to murder is punishable by up to 20 years in state prison.