Criminal Law and Procedure -- 1962 Tennessee Survey

The American states have generally codified in one form or other the common law "felony murder rule" to the effect that homicide committed while perpetrating or attempting a felony, and as a consequence thereof, is murder. Tennessee's statute in this regard, which largely follows the most widely adopted version of the rule in limiting it to specified felonies and in classifying homicides committed in connection therewith as first degree murder, was applied in two cases decided by the state supreme court during the survey period.