The Latest: California Assembly Passes Felony Murder Bill

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The California Assembly has advanced legislation limiting the state’s felony murder rule that holds accomplices to the same standard as if they had personally killed someone. The bill passed the Assembly on Wednesday with no votes to spare. It now goes to the Senate. The bill would limit murder convictions to those who actually commit murders. The law defines such people as those who “with the intent to kill” knowingly aid, solicit or assist the killer, and those who are major participants and act with reckless indifference to human life. Supporters say it is unjust that accomplices can face execution or life prison sentences even if they were unaware someone would be killed. Opponents argue the bill’s resentencing requirements would be overly burdensome on prosecutors and too lenient on criminals.

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