ShyGuyInChicago
September 6th, 2011, 08:32 PM
The felony murder rule is a legal doctrine where if a person commits a felony that poses a high risk of someone dying and then someone dies even if the death was not intended the murder charges can be filed. In addition in some jurisdictions, the felony murder rule can can allow certain defendants to be considered for the death penalty due to the aggravating factors/special circumstances of the crime.
I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand it makes sense that a person is charged with murder when it is foreseeable that their criminal behavior can result in death. On the other hand, there is a part of me that thinks that in some cases manslaughter charges would be more appropriate when the criminal did not have murder in mind.
I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand it makes sense that a person is charged with murder when it is foreseeable that their criminal behavior can result in death. On the other hand, there is a part of me that thinks that in some cases manslaughter charges would be more appropriate when the criminal did not have murder in mind.