Recently, some New York cops shot a couple bystanders (and another cop), one of them in the head (tragically not the cop) while trying to assassinate some guy who'd jumped a turnstile.
If any of the victims die, do you really believe the guy who just jumped a turnstile should be considered guilty of murder, while the attempted mass murderers go free because they've got a badge and can shoot whoever they want whenever they feel like it..?
I'm sorry, but the whole concept is indefensible, monstrous, inhumane, and profoundly revolting.
I agree with you, but I want to point to point out that felony murder requires a felony. I don't think turnstile jumping is a felony, but I could be wrong.
Regardless, I don't care if that turnstile jumper was Osama Bin Laden himself, those cops overstepped. Ok, maybe him, but only because it's New York. What the hell did he do for the cops to justify opening fire in a crowded area?
Felony murder rule is just because instead of judgement based on intent alone, it also bases the punishment on the unintended consequences of the criminal act.
While I agree that felony murder in theory is just, I do take objection to trying a minor as an adult with it. The whole reason we have a separate justice system for minors is because they are too stupid, impressionable, and gullible to know what they are doing, and understand the potential consequences and outcomes of their actions. Couple that with the adolescent feelings of invulnerability, and trying them as adults is just wrong in most cases in my opinion.
Should this kid be punished? Absolutely yes. Should he live most, if not all, of his adult life in prison? No. Unequivocally no. This situation is exactly where and why we need better rehabilitation and education in the American justice system. The whole notion of him being in prison for 65 years is just absurd to begin with in my opinion - instead of wasting 65 years spending tax dollars feeding and housing him, let's educate and rehabilitate and get him out to be a productive member of society. ...whole situation is stupid