Felony Murder and Mens Rea Default Rules: A Study in Statutory Interpretation

Abstract

Introduction 399 I. The Felony Murder Rule 405 II. The Model Penal Code Scheme 408 A. The Default Rule Scheme 408 B. The Felony Murder Scheme 412 III. Default Rules in the States 416 IV. Culpability Terms in Felony Murder Statutes 430 V. The Interpretive Problem: Strategies of Evasion 437 A. The Nonpervasive Default Rule Strategy 438 B. The Explicit Strict Liability Strategy 438 1. Legislative History 439 2. Doctrine 439 3. Statutory Structure 440 4. Instrumental or Policy Considerations 441 C. The Implicit Culpability Strategy 441 1. “Criminal Homicide” 441 2. Transferred Intent 442 3. Dangerousness 442 4. Proximate Cause 443 VI. The Interpretive Problem in the Courts 443 A. Pervasive Recklessness (or Intent) States 444 B. Pervasive Negligence or Homicide Default States 458 C. Nonpervasive States 472 D. Summary of Default Rules in the Courts 480 Conclusion 481