Jackson v. State
Maryland Court of Appeals
408 A.2d 711 (1979)

- Written by Sarah Holley, JD
Facts
Jackson and Wells (defendants) robbed a jewelry store operated by Bernard Sugar and Charlotte Farber. Police surrounded both the front and back entrance of the store. With no other escape route in sight, Wells grabbed Farber, held her in a headlock, and put a gun to her neck, and Jackson grasped Sugar in the same manner. Jackson and Wells, using Sugar and Farber as shields, managed to escape and fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. As police chased the vehicle, Jackson and Wells forced Sugar and Farber to sit in such a manner that exposed them to the gunfire from pursuing police cars. The vehicle was eventually brought to a halt by a roadblock and police, unaware of the presence of hostages, fired upon the vehicle. The shotgun of one of the officers accidentally discharged and killed Sugar. Jackson and Wells were subsequently arrested and convicted for first-degree murder under Maryland’s felony-murder statute. Jackson and Wells appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Orth, J.)
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