jon651: "If the second thief also gets tagged for murder then I personally will consider the law to be evenly applied."

No stealing a six pack of beer is not worth the death penalty, however if that beer was some worthless swill like Bud or Miller lite then the thief deserves to die from the swill.

I don't know about the law in that state but I do know in some states if a person dies during the commission of a felony then all persons involved in the situation get charged with the murder be they an accomplice or the killer.

Good thing I'm not on the jury cause as I see it, the killer was wrong for chasing the thief out the door and then shooting him in the car. Standard ruling as as I know it, if the thief gets out the door, wether your home or any other location, they are on free ground and you are no longer defending your life.