There's a curious law I had never previously heard, called "felony murder". The principle is this: if you commit a felony, and someone is killed in the process, you can get charged with murder. Not manslaughter: murder.
A recent application.
Four unarmed youths broke into a house they thought was empty. It wasn't; the homeowner was there; and he had a handgun. He shot at the intruders, killing one of them. The survivors were charged with "felony murder", convicted, and sentenced to 45 years. Indiana supreme court is currently considering oral arguments that the sentence was out of all proportion.
What I found staggering was the number of people who defend this application of the law and the sentences applied to the teenagers for what was actually a botched burglary.
CBS Chicago on the recent hearing: “Elkhart Four” Ask Indiana Supreme Court To Hear Their Case
Related: The USA has the second highest incarceration rate in the world; beaten out only by Seychelles. (Ref: International Center for Prison Studies: Prison Population Rate)
A recent application.
Four unarmed youths broke into a house they thought was empty. It wasn't; the homeowner was there; and he had a handgun. He shot at the intruders, killing one of them. The survivors were charged with "felony murder", convicted, and sentenced to 45 years. Indiana supreme court is currently considering oral arguments that the sentence was out of all proportion.
What I found staggering was the number of people who defend this application of the law and the sentences applied to the teenagers for what was actually a botched burglary.
CBS Chicago on the recent hearing: “Elkhart Four” Ask Indiana Supreme Court To Hear Their Case
Related: The USA has the second highest incarceration rate in the world; beaten out only by Seychelles. (Ref: International Center for Prison Studies: Prison Population Rate)
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