Opinion ID: 6111054
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Capital-felony-murder standard

Text: Fourth, in reviewing our standards, we note that the parties agree that because the State charged Torres with capital murder pursuant to capital felony murder, the State must prove the underlying felony as it becomes an element of the murder charge. Under capital-felony murder, the State must first prove the felony, so the felony becomes an element of the murder charge. Ross v. State , 346 Ark. 225 , 57 S.W.3d 152 (2001). Proof of each felony was presented separately, and each felony may be examined separately. Williams v. State , 347 Ark. 728 , 744, 67 S.W.3d 548 , 557 (2002). Accordingly, to sustain Torres's capital-murder conviction, the State must prove either the rape felony murder or the child-abuse-murder.