People v. Washington
Supreme Court of California
62 Cal. 2d 777 (1965)
Relevant factsFree
During a gas-station robbery, Washington (defendant), who was unarmed, and his armed accomplice Ball confronted owner Johnny Carpenter; when Ball pointed a gun at him, Carpenter shot and killed Ball. Washington was convicted of first-degree murder under the felony-murder rule for Ball's death and appealed.
IssueFree
Whether, to convict a defendant of murder under the felony-murder rule, the fatal act of killing must have been committed by the defendant or an accomplice acting in furtherance of the underlying felony.