What is
Felony Murder
A rule that allows a person to be convicted of first-degree murder even if it’s proven they did not commit, aid in, or have intent to commit murder.
Thousands of people in America are serving life sentences for murders they did not intend or commit.
These are some of their stories:
Tammy Cooper Garvin
sat outside in a car while her abusive boyfriend and trafficker killed a man in a robbery gone wrong. She was sentenced to life without parole in California. He went free.
D’Angelo Burgess
was chased at a high speed by a police officer. The police officer accidentally hit another police officer parked on the side of the road. D’Angelo Burgess is serving a life sentence in Oklahoma for the death of the police officer.
Jacob Harris
was shot in the back by a police officer as he fled from a burglary. His three friends, who were in the car at the time of the shooting, were charged with felony murder for his death and will serve decades in prison in Arizona.
Sadik Baxter
sat in the back of a police car, completely unaware that his accomplice in an earlier attempted burglary was involved in a high speed chase. That accomplice accidentally hit two cyclists, killing both. Sadik is now sentenced to life without parole for the death of the cyclists.
The felony murder rule allows for the legal conviction of a person for murder even if they did not kill or intend to kill.
If a person participates in certain felonies, such as robbery or burglary, and a death occurs, that person can be convicted of first-degree murder:
- Even if it was an accident.
- Even if they played no role in the death that occurred.
- Even if they couldn’t have known a death was going to occur.
- Even if they were no longer there when the death occurred.
- Even if a police officer caused the death.
- Even if someone else killed their accomplice.
Why is this?
In most states, these types of convictions automatically result in life in prison or death penalty sentences.
A person should be held accountable for his or her own actions, NOT for the intentions or actions of another.
The United States is one of the only countries in the world that uses the felony murder doctrine.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Each state has the power to repeal these laws.
Our Impact:
Building a Fair Legal System
The Felony Murder Elimination Project is driven by a team of dedicated advocates committed to justice and equity. Get to know the passionate individuals behind our mission and learn more about their roles in our organization.
