Felony murder rule case in Florida: revenge or justice?

Ryan Holle is serving a life sentence at Wakulla Correctional Institute in Crawfordville, Fla., after he lent his car to friends who committed burglary and murder.The felony murder rule offers prosecutors in states like Florida and approximately 30 others the option to punish all actors in a crime as though their guilt is identical—the hand of one is the hand of all. But some cases, such as Florida’s prosecution of Ryan Holle, raise questions. Does the rule deliver justice or revenge? For a conservative to write those words is unusual—after all, aren’t we staunch advocates of law and order? Ironically, it is because I am a strong advocate of law and order that I am disturbed by Holle’s case.

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