For which type of charge is 'felony murder' applicable?

Felony murder is a legal doctrine that allows for a defendant to be charged with murder if a death occurs during the commission of a dangerous felony, regardless of whether the defendant intended to kill. This rule significantly broadens the scope of liability for murder, as it applies when a death results from the commission or attempted commission of certain felonies such as robbery, burglary, arson, or certain sexual offenses.

The essence of felony murder lies in the connection between the underlying felony and the resulting death. It underscores a view that individuals engaging in inherently dangerous felonies should be held responsible for any foreseeable outcomes, including death, that arise from their criminal actions. Thus, a defendant can be charged with murder even if they did not personally cause the death or have any intention to kill, as long as the death occurred while they were committing or attempting to commit the felony.

This principle aims to deter participation in dangerous felonious activities by imposing severe penalties for any associated deaths. It is important to distinguish this concept from intentional killings, which require a specific intent to kill, or from deaths occurring in specific locations, which do not inherently relate to the nature of the charge under felony murder.