Second Degree Murder Is a Violent Felony, Appeals Court Rules

A North Carolina man failed to convince a federal appeals court Friday to overturn his 30-year federal prison sentence after the court ruled his prior second-degree murder state conviction counted as a violent felony under federal sentencing law.

Aaron Albert Goode lost his challenge to the enhanced penalties he received under the Armed Career Criminal Act because second degree murder qualifies as a violent felony, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled.

In 2021 Goode pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, along with possession with intent ...