The felony murder rule is a legal doctrine that expands the definition of murder and makes criminal accomplices (including a lookout or getaway driver) as responsible for a death that occurs in the course of a dangerous felony crime as the person who directly caused the death by pulling the trigger of a gun, stabbing the victim with a knife, strangling the victim, or otherwise causing the victim’s death. Examples of dangerous felony crimes that implicate the felony murder rule include robbery, burglary, rape, aggravated kidnapping, carjacking, and arson.

When the felony murder rule applies, it may make a criminal accomplice liable for murder even if the criminals had agreed that no one would be killed in the course of the crime, and even if it is a fellow criminal who is killed in the course of the crime—such as when a police officer or security guard shoots a bank robber—which may result in all other accomplices to the crime being charged with murder.

In many states the felony murder rule—and any distinctions between the culpability of accomplices and principals to a crime—are located in the state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Connecticut, the felony murder rule is codified under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54c. This statute defines felony murder as a homicide committed during the commission or attempted commission of a felony such as robbery, burglary, kidnapping, sexual assault, escape from custody, or arson. Under this rule, all participants in the underlying felony can be held liable for murder if a death occurs during the commission of the felony, regardless of who actually caused the death. This includes individuals who may have served as lookouts or getaway drivers. The intent to kill is not a necessary element for felony murder; the mere participation in the underlying felony that results in a death suffices for liability. It is important to note that the felony murder rule in Connecticut applies even if the death was accidental or unintended, and it can result in a charge of murder with the same severity as if the accused had directly caused the death.