People v. Ireland

Citation

70 Cal. 2d 522 (1969)

Facts

Stub — to be completed.

Issue

Stub — to be completed.

Holding

Stub — to be completed.

Rule

The felony murder rule does not apply when the predicate felony is an integral part of and included in fact within the homicide itself (assault with a deadly weapon); applying felony murder in such cases would effectively eliminate the requirement of malice for second-degree murder.

Significance

Established the “merger doctrine” limitation on felony murder in California; assaultive felonies that merge with the homicidal act cannot serve as the predicate felony for felony murder.

Courses