Although the manager fatally shot one of Cooksey 's accomplices and the shooting was deemed self - defense , under Arizona 's felony murder law , Cooksey was held culpable .
The death occurred during the commission of a crime .
Although the manager fatally shot one of Cooksey 's accomplices and the shooting was deemed self - defense , under Arizona 's felony murder law , Cooksey was held culpable because the death occurred during the commission of a crime .