It is currently Sun Nov 24, 2024 5:48 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 23 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:28 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:33 pm
Posts: 19044
pizza_Place: World Famous Pizza
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/202202 ... n-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.

_________________
Seacrest wrote:
The menstrual cycle changes among Hassidic Jewish women was something as well.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:33 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2015 1:15 pm
Posts: 41377
Location: Small Fringe Minority
pizza_Place: John's
I feel it's ok they intended to rob the house because of years of white oppression and also insurance


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:33 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 6:09 pm
Posts: 11005
pizza_Place: Generic Pizza Store
SpiralStairs wrote:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220212/illinois-felony-murder-rule-change-still-leaves-some-who-didnt-kill-anyone-in-prison-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.


this is what happens when you let July serve as your PD


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:34 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:40 pm
Posts: 16474
pizza_Place: Boni Vino
SpiralStairs wrote:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220212/illinois-felony-murder-rule-change-still-leaves-some-who-didnt-kill-anyone-in-prison-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.


Yeah, how does the guy who didn't pull the trigger get life and the guy who did is already out?

_________________
To IkeSouth, bigfan wrote:
Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:36 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:33 pm
Posts: 19044
pizza_Place: World Famous Pizza
Jaw Breaker wrote:
SpiralStairs wrote:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220212/illinois-felony-murder-rule-change-still-leaves-some-who-didnt-kill-anyone-in-prison-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.


Yeah, how does the guy who didn't pull the trigger get life and the guy who did is already out?


The only thing I can think is prosecutors cut a deal with the first guy and the jury wasn't buying whatever the state was selling in the other guy's case.

_________________
Seacrest wrote:
The menstrual cycle changes among Hassidic Jewish women was something as well.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:37 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:24 am
Posts: 38635
Location: RST Video
pizza_Place: Bill's Pizza - Mundelein
Image

_________________
Darkside wrote:
Our hotel smelled like dead hooker vagina (before you ask I had gotten a detailed description from beardown)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:50 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:00 am
Posts: 79550
Location: Ravenswood Manor
pizza_Place: Pete's
This is a pretty notable case:

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/cri ... /72397844/

I would make the argument that there is one crucial distinction between the case cited by Spiral and the one I linked above. The law doesn't make considerations for this, but I think it should.

In the Elkhart case no one was armed except the homeowner. There wasn't the slightest intention of hurting anyone. In Country Club Hills, McClure was carrying a firearm and ultimately used it.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 1:13 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:45 am
Posts: 16822
pizza_Place: Salerno's
Gerald Berry went to trial and lost--dumb-dumb move. Never ever go to trial and lose in a murder case. Even a bad plea deal is better than life behind bars, which is what you're gonna get every time if you take a murder charge to trial and lose. Better representation would've easily plead him out to something under 10 years. He'd have served 3-5 max.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:08 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:10 pm
Posts: 32067
pizza_Place: Milano's
whoa

heavy topic

can we go back to talking about chickens ?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:24 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:05 am
Posts: 2953
Location: DuPage
pizza_Place: Rosati's
yeah, death result in the commission of a felony...sounds like he or the defense attorney decided to take it to trial and not plea, while the others likely cut a deal.

an acquaintance of mine, their father ended up in a similar situation with a cartel that was under investigation for distribution of large amounts of drugs. Guy worked in a repair shop that worked on rentals and they would often come back ripped apart because of all the shit being hidden and taken out. everyone knew i guess, but he was just a mechanic and not directly involved in any distribution. Anyhow, went to go pick up a truck that had been left and it turned out the feds were watching it and picked him up along with the crew. The dealers all cut a deal and he went to trial, thinking he would be able to explain his side and be cleared.

Life in prison for distribution of marijuana.

_________________
'Your AT&T Universal Card has arrived'? Oh God, Kick-fucking-ass, I got a Master Card! I don't believe it, man. Life is kinda cool sometimes.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:26 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:29 pm
Posts: 38688
pizza_Place: Lou Malnatis
Dont really feel sorry for criminals involved in invading someones home. Kill em all.

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:27 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:33 pm
Posts: 19044
pizza_Place: World Famous Pizza
badrogue17 wrote:
Dont really feel sorry for criminals involved in invading someones home. Kill em all.


I'll update the log

_________________
Seacrest wrote:
The menstrual cycle changes among Hassidic Jewish women was something as well.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 5:20 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:45 am
Posts: 16822
pizza_Place: Salerno's
badrogue17 wrote:
Dont really feel sorry for criminals involved in invading someones home. Kill em all.



While I'm generally in favor of criminal justice reform and believe we the US and A lock way too many people up for way too long, if you're involved in either invading someone's home or facilitating invading someone's home, fuck you and fuck your life: rot in prison. No one should waste their time and money trying to get anyone involved in such activities any sort of clemency. Far more worthy cases out there on which to spend your time and resources.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 5:32 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:15 pm
Posts: 48800
Location: Bohemian Club Annual World Power Consolidation Conference & Golf Outing
pizza_Place: World Fluoridation Conspiracy Pizza & WINGS!
Bagels wrote:
whoa

heavy topic

can we go back to talking about chickens ?


WHAT ABOUT McGOWAN?!??!

_________________
You know me like that.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 5:42 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:00 am
Posts: 79550
Location: Ravenswood Manor
pizza_Place: Pete's
Hussra wrote:
badrogue17 wrote:
Dont really feel sorry for criminals involved in invading someones home. Kill em all.



While I'm generally in favor of criminal justice reform and believe we the US and A lock way too many people up for way too long, if you're involved in either invading someone's home or facilitating invading someone's home, fuck you and fuck your life: rot in prison. No one should waste their time and money trying to get anyone involved in such activities any sort of clemency. Far more worthy cases out there on which to spend your time and resources.


I think it can be a little more complicated than that. Like the dopey teenagers in the Elkhart case who thought they were gonna rob the neighbor's house while he was at work. The neighbor shot their friend who was robbing with them and now they're charged with his murder. I might think having your friend die in your arms over a stupid teenage mistake you all made together is enough.

Now, if they had come in there packing pistols I'd feel differently.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:08 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 2:54 pm
Posts: 17128
Location: in the vents of life for joey belle
pizza_Place: how many planets have a chicago?
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
Hussra wrote:
badrogue17 wrote:
Dont really feel sorry for criminals involved in invading someones home. Kill em all.



While I'm generally in favor of criminal justice reform and believe we the US and A lock way too many people up for way too long, if you're involved in either invading someone's home or facilitating invading someone's home, fuck you and fuck your life: rot in prison. No one should waste their time and money trying to get anyone involved in such activities any sort of clemency. Far more worthy cases out there on which to spend your time and resources.


I think it can be a little more complicated than that. Like the dopey teenagers in the Elkhart case who thought they were gonna rob the neighbor's house while he was at work. The neighbor shot their friend who was robbing with them and now they're charged with his murder. I might think having your friend die in your arms over a stupid teenage mistake you all made together is enough.

Now, if they had come in there packing pistols I'd feel differently.

what if you're technically involved in a "home invasion" of your old home using a secret entrance that only you know about cuz you're somewhat kinda literally thinking you might impress the virgin mary for that first date you've been waiting for about 3 years at that point? should i be serving 15-20 for that one? i rang the doorbell a few times before coming in too but the fuckers didnt answer. i had to do a police escort to go over there and get my ron mexico shirt

_________________
Curious Hair wrote:
Les Grobstein's huge hog is proof that God has a sense of humor, isn't it?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:51 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:46 pm
Posts: 22456
pizza_Place: Giordano's
Hello, I'm Trumaine McClure. You may remember me from such late night suburban burglaries as Plano Was His Name-O and Bartlett IV: The Search For Cash.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:53 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:46 pm
Posts: 22456
pizza_Place: Giordano's
SpiralStairs wrote:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220212/illinois-felony-murder-rule-change-still-leaves-some-who-didnt-kill-anyone-in-prison-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.

Don't be a party to dangerous felonies that could foreseeably turn violent and/or result in death. It's rather quite simple.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:33 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:45 am
Posts: 16822
pizza_Place: Salerno's
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
I think it can be a little more complicated than that. Like the dopey teenagers in the Elkhart case who thought they were gonna rob the neighbor's house while he was at work. The neighbor shot their friend who was robbing with them and now they're charged with his murder. I might think having your friend die in your arms over a stupid teenage mistake you all made together is enough.

Now, if they had come in there packing pistols I'd feel differently.


Agree on the Elkhart case, they weren't packing, were dumbass kids doing dumbass thing, probably not a case where you should run them through for a life sentence.

Felony murder rule--like the death penalty in many states where it's still on the books but no one's ever executed anymore, they exist as hammers for prosecutors to bludgeon plea deals out of perps and get co-defendants to spill on their other fellow criminals to avoid life in prison or the chair. At the state level, if you refuse a plea deal and go to trial you're getting charged with the maximum charge and if convicted getting a max sentence. Almost always at the state level defendants who go to trial and lose could've plead out and done a comparatively nominal custodial term. Federal system with relatively rigorous sentencing guidelines reduces the delta between your likely sentence going to trial and getting convicted and what federal prosecutors can offer as a plea deal.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:05 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:33 pm
Posts: 19044
pizza_Place: World Famous Pizza
Juice's Lecture Notes wrote:
SpiralStairs wrote:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220212/illinois-felony-murder-rule-change-still-leaves-some-who-didnt-kill-anyone-in-prison-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.

Don't be a party to dangerous felonies that could foreseeably turn violent and/or result in death. It's rather quite simple.


Hard to disagree with that sentiment. I was more interested in disparate outcomes based on what appear to be an identical set of facts. So your comment is not the dunk you think it is. :wink:

_________________
Seacrest wrote:
The menstrual cycle changes among Hassidic Jewish women was something as well.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:10 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 4:29 pm
Posts: 40649
Location: Everywhere
pizza_Place: giordanos
Hussra wrote:
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
I think it can be a little more complicated than that. Like the dopey teenagers in the Elkhart case who thought they were gonna rob the neighbor's house while he was at work. The neighbor shot their friend who was robbing with them and now they're charged with his murder. I might think having your friend die in your arms over a stupid teenage mistake you all made together is enough.

Now, if they had come in there packing pistols I'd feel differently.


Agree on the Elkhart case, they weren't packing, were dumbass kids doing dumbass thing, probably not a case where you should run them through for a life sentence.

Felony murder rule--like the death penalty in many states where it's still on the books but no one's ever executed anymore, they exist as hammers for prosecutors to bludgeon plea deals out of perps and get co-defendants to spill on their other fellow criminals to avoid life in prison or the chair. At the state level, if you refuse a plea deal and go to trial you're getting charged with the maximum charge and if convicted getting a max sentence. Almost always at the state level defendants who go to trial and lose could've plead out and done a comparatively nominal custodial term. Federal system with relatively rigorous sentencing guidelines reduces the delta between your likely sentence going to trial and getting convicted and what federal prosecutors can offer as a plea deal.


Sounds right.

_________________
Elections have consequences.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:13 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:46 pm
Posts: 22456
pizza_Place: Giordano's
SpiralStairs wrote:
Juice's Lecture Notes wrote:
SpiralStairs wrote:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220212/illinois-felony-murder-rule-change-still-leaves-some-who-didnt-kill-anyone-in-prison-for-life

Maybe a criminal attorney can weigh in on this.

Quote:
Gerald Berry is serving a life sentence for murder, even though he didn't kill anyone.

On Dec. 27, 2001, Berry said he and three friends drove to South suburban Country Club Hills to case a house that they had planned to burglarize. Berry, then a certified HVAC technician, was 20 and married with three children. He often hung around with an older friend, Loree Scott Young, 35, who suggested ways for them to make quick money.

After Berry, Young and the other two men in their crew arrived at the house in Country Club Hills, they realized that one of the homeowners was there, so they considered targeting other homes, according to court records. Berry said Young still encouraged them to go through with the robbery.

Young and Trumaine McClure, 18, went inside the house, while Berry waited in the getaway car with 27-year-old John McGowan, according to court records.

Things quickly went south after another person who lived in the house, Torrey James, returned home. Young demanded money from the man, who drew a gun and shot Young twice. McClure returned fire, hitting James.

James and Young died.


Quote:
McClure pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released on parole last November. McGowan was acquitted at trial.

But Berry was convicted of both murders under the felony murder rule -- a legal doctrine that allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against anyone who participates in certain felonies, such as robbery, if a death happens during commission of the crime. The doctrine applies even if the defendant wasn't directly responsible for the killing. Most U.S. states have felony murder laws.


The guy who actually went in the house and the other get away driver (who stands in the same position as Berry) didn't get popped on the felony murder rule too? Feels like this story is incomplete.

Don't be a party to dangerous felonies that could foreseeably turn violent and/or result in death. It's rather quite simple.


Hard to disagree with that sentiment. I was more interested in disparate outcomes based on what appear to be an identical set of facts. So your comment is not the dunk you think it is. :wink:

Yeah but my Simpsons shitpost above totally is.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Felony Murder Rule
PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 7:40 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:05 pm
Posts: 68612
pizza_Place: Lina's Pizza
Juice's Lecture Notes wrote:
Hello, I'm Trumaine McClure. You may remember me from such late night suburban burglaries as Plano Was His Name-O and Bartlett IV: The Search For Cash.


:lol:

No idea why, but this really got me.

_________________
The Hawk wrote:
There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 23 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group