Someone help me understand why many or perhaps even all insurrectionists, including the president, can’t be charged with felony murder in the January 6th insurrection in which a Capitol police officer was killed.
Here is a general description of felony murder, which would vary by jurisdiction:
“a rule of criminal statutes that any death which occurs during the commission of a felony is first degree murder, and all participants in that felony or attempted felony can be charged with and found guilty of murder. A typical example is a robbery involving more than one criminal, in which one of them shoots, beats to death or runs over a store clerk, killing the clerk. Even if the death were accidental, all of the participants can be found guilty of felony murder, including those who did no harm, had no gun, and/or did not intend to hurt anyone. In a bizarre situation, if one of the holdup men or women is killed, his/her fellow robbers can be charged with murder.”
Many news sources have explained that investigators are trying to find the people who directly killed the police officer, but is it possible the responsibility could be broader?
Opinions from attorneys would be especially appreciated.