ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY FOR MURDER - Penal Code §§ 188, 189, and 1172.6 - April 2023

Aug 26, 2026

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ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY FOR MURDER analyzes how California Penal Code sections 188, 189, and 1172.6 were amended by SB 1437 and SB 775 and explains their impact on felony-murder liability and related doctrines. It outlines the law before January 2019, clarifies effective dates, and details the amended felony-murder rule, including key exceptions. The discussion further covers elimination of natural and probable consequences, related issues for accomplices and jury findings, and eligibility, filing, and procedures for resentencing under § 1172.6.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages103

Reading Time4 h 20 min

AccessFree to download

INTRODUCTION

LAW PRIOR TO JANUARY 2019

First degree felony murder

Second degree felony murder

Doctrine of natural and probable consequences

EFFECTIVE DATES OF SB 1437 AND SB 775

Effective date of resentencing provisions created by SB 1437

The application of Estrada to persons sentenced prior to January 1, 2019

Application of SB 775 to cases not final as of January 1, 2022

THE FELONY-MURDER RULE AS AMENDED BY SB 1437

New felony-murder rule

Exceptions to new rule

ELIMINATION OF THE NATURAL AND PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES DOCTRINE

First degree murder

Second degree murder

OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO AMENDMENT OF SECTIONS 188 AND 189

Whether SB 1437 eliminates second degree felony murder

Relationship between felony-murder rule and special circumstance enhancement

Special findings by jury

PETITION FOR RESENTENCING (§ 1172.6)

ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY FOR MURDER Penal Code §§ 188, 189, and 1172.6 (SB 1437 and SB 775) J. RICHARD COUZENS Judge of the Superior Court County of Placer (Ret.) April 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 5 II. LAW PRIOR TO JANUARY 2019 .................................................................................. 6 A. First degree felony murder ..................................................................................... 6 B. Second degree felony murder ................................................................................ 7 C. Doctrine of natural and probable consequences ................................................... 7 III. EFFECTIVE DATES OF SB 1437 AND SB 775 .................................................................. 8 A. Effective date of resentencing provisions created by SB 1437 .............................. 8 B. The application of Estrada to persons sentenced prior to January 1, 2019........... 9 C. Application of SB 775 to cases not final as of January 1, 2022............................... 9 IV. THE FELONY-MURDER RULE AS AMENDED BY SB 1437............................................ 11 A. New felony-murder rule ....................................................................................... 11 B. Exceptions to new rule ......................................................................................... 12 1. Defendant is the actual killer (§ 189, subd. (e)(1)) ......................................... 12 2. Defendant is not the killer, but aided the killing (§ 189, subd. (e)(2)) ........... 14 3. Defendant was a major participant in the crime and acted with reckless indifference (§ 189, subd. (e)(3)) .................................................................... 14 4. Exception for death of a peace officer (§ 189, subd. (f)) ................................ 18 V. ELIMINATION OF THE NATURAL AND PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES DOCTRINE ....... 19 A. First degree murder .............................................................................................. 19 B. Second degree murder ......................................................................................... 21 VI. OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO AMENDMENT OF SECTIONS 188 AND 189................... 23 A. Whether SB 1437 eliminates second degree felony murder................................ 23 B. The relationship between the felony-murder rule and special circumstance felony-murder enhancement for accomplices.............................. 24 C. Special findings by jury ......................................................................................... 25 VII. PETITION FOR RESENTENCING (§ 1172.6) ................................................................. 27 A. Eligibility for resentencing (§ 1172.6, subd. (a)) ................................................... 27 1. Persons currently serving a term for murder, attempted murder or manslaughter.............................................................................................. 27 2. Persons who have completed their sentence ................................................ 30 B. Filing period; date of conviction ........................................................................... 30 C. Cases on appeal .................................................................................................... 30 D. Conditions for granting relief (§ 1172.6, subd. (a).) ............................................. 33 E. Form and content of the petition (§ 1172.6, subd. (b)(1)) ................................... 34 F. Filing and service of the petition (§ 1172.6, subd. (b)(1)) .................................... 35 G. Assigned judicial officer (§ 1172.6, subd. (b)(1)) .................................................. 35 H. Procedure for the review of the petition and

FAQs

What sections and bills does the memorandum focus on?

It focuses on California Penal Code §§ 188, 189, and 1172.6, with amendments created by SB 1437 and SB 775.

How does SB 1437 change the felony-murder rule for accomplices?

It amends the felony-murder rule and adds exceptions tied to whether the defendant is the actual killer, aided the killing, or was a major participant acting with reckless indifference, among other specified exceptions.

What does § 1172.6 require for a person to seek resentencing?

The memorandum covers eligibility, timing and filing period, conditions for relief, petition form and content, filing and service, assignment of a judicial officer, and the procedures for review and a hearing on the merits.

Aug 26, 2026

Uploaded by Đào