Is This True For Felony Murder...?

Question

I heard that for example if a group of criminals rob a bank and people die in the process that they will all be prosecuted for felony murder regardless of who actually did the killing, even the getaway driver and lookouts who are not present at the scene. Is this true?

Answer 1

Yes. It is very true.

Answer 2

They should. Whoever participate and make the killing possible is a murderer.

Unfortunately, most of the time they get a lower sentence as accessory.

Answer 3

thats what i have heard as well

Answer 4

Yes, that is the essence of felony murder, a murder committed during to commission of a felony.  Any death resulting from conspiracy to commit a felony.  For instance if you are selling drugs with another dealer, and he is about to get arrested, and kills the cop, they both are charged with felony murder.

Answer 5

Not felony murder, but being an accomplice or accessory, depending on the situation.

Answer 6

this is very true, its called guilt by association.

Answer 7

That is indeed a description of the "felony - murder" rule.  

Answer 8

Yes, murder committed in the commission of a felony is felony murder and accomplices can be equally charged as those who directly cause the death(s).

Answer 9

The exact charges may vary from one jurisdiction to another, but you've got the basic concept correct.  Theoretically, if you're sitting in the getaway car when one of your cohorts shoots a guard during a bank robbery, you may be charged with felonious murder.

Answer 10

In the United States, felony murder is generally first-degree murder, and often a capital offense. When the government seeks to impose the death penalty on someone convicted of felony murder, the Eighth Amendment imposes additional limitations on the state's power to do so. The death penalty may not be imposed if the defendant is merely a minor participant and did not actually kill or intend to kill. However, the death penalty MAY be imposed if the defendant is a major participant in the underlying felony and exhibits extreme indifference to human life.

In Texas, there is also the "law of parties" which authorizes capital punishment for accomplices who either intended to kill or "should have anticipated" a murder, regardless of whether they pulled the trigger.  Most states have such laws for many types of crimes, but Texas is the only state to apply it broadly to capital cases.

Answer 11

If a collective commits a FELONY, and in the course of that felony any person dies, any person in the collective MAY be charged and/or prosecuted for that death regardless of how directly responsible they were for the death.

Hairsplitting, perhaps. But a somewhat more accurate definition.

Prior to the felony murder rule, it was difficult to prosecute successfully when everybody simply pointed to the other guy as the triggerman.

Defendants also resorted to the "I didn't mean to kill anyone, I just wanted the money" defense.

Felony murder says that if the Defendant intended to commit the felony, we'll transfer that intent to any other crimes that arise from the original intended felony.

Answer 12

yes that is true.

take Beaufort White for instance he was the lookout for a robbery where as someone was killed. He was convicted of murder and was executed before the person who did the killing was.