What distinguishes felony murder from other types of murder?

Felony murder is distinguished from other types of murder primarily by the principle that a person can be charged with murder if a death occurs during the commission of a felony, regardless of intent to kill. This means that if someone dies while a felony is being committed, such as robbery or burglary, the perpetrators can be charged with murder. This approach is rooted in the belief that engaging in a dangerous felony inherently poses a significant risk of death or serious injury, thus making the offenders liable for deaths that occur as a result of their actions during that crime.

In contrast, other choices focus on aspects not necessarily tied to the legal definition of felony murder. For example, causation of death while attempting a non-violent crime does not apply since felony murder is specifically linked to violent felonies. An intention to kill is relevant to premeditated or deliberate murder but does not apply to felony murder, where intent is derived from the act of committing the felony itself. Having a history of violent crimes may reflect on a person's character but is not a determining factor for classifying a homicide as felony murder. Thus, the essence of felony murder is the link to the commission of a felony, which is aptly captured in the chosen answer.