Changes To Felony Murder

Under current law, it is a class 1 felony if a person commits or attempts to commit certain specified felonies and the death of a person, other than one of the participants, is caused by anyone. The bill: Requires the death be caused by a participant; Repeals certain elements of the affirmative defense; Changes the penalty from a class 1 felony to a class 2 felony; Clarifies that a court shall sentence a defendant to a definite sentence within the aggravated range when the court finds certain aggravating circumstances; and Provides for a defendant to be subject to a mandatory sentence as a crime of violence if the fact finder makes specific findings of fact.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)