Final answer:
According to the felony murder theory, a killing that occurs during the commission of a felony, such as a witness being killed while following the suspect after a robbery, can still be considered first-degree murder.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the application of felony murder theory in a specific scenario. The felony murder rule is a legal doctrine that allows for someone to be charged with first-degree murder if a killing occurs during the commission of a felony, even if the death was unintended. If under this theory, an individual committing a felony also kills a witness who was attempting to follow them after the crime, this could still be considered first-degree murder because the killing was in furtherance of the felony and in direct relation to it. This is because the death occurred as a part of the chaotic and dangerous situation created by the suspects during the commission of the felony.