Doug Gilding's Fight for Freedom
Imagine receiving a life-without-parole sentence for a murder that occurred while you were at home, asleep in your bed! It might sound like the plot of a bad Hollywood movie, but this is reality for Doug Gilding.
For nearly 30 years, Doug has been imprisoned, convicted under Florida’s felony murder rule as a “non-present principal” following a brief ten-minute conversation in a car. From day one, Gilding has maintained his innoncence, and asserts that he was merely a passenger in the car. During his time in prison, he has dedicated himself to positive change, teaching GED classes, training service dogs for disabled veterans, and becoming a certified paralegal. Ironically, despite years spent as a law clerk helping other inmates secure their freedom, Doug has been unable to overturn his own conviction.
Now, there is new hope! Making an Exoneree, the Georgetown University's version of the Innocence Project, has taken on Doug’s case and created a short documentary to shed light on this injustice.
It's time for Doug to come home! Please help us by sharing his story and following his social media. Thank you!
Video Documentary
From His Prison Cell!!! Doug Gilding Writes Felony Murder Legislation Titled "Ryan Holle Reform Act"
This episode discusses the "Ryan Holle Reform Act"; a piece of legislation written to reform Florida's Felony Murder Law so that minor participants in a crime cannot be given a Life-Without-Parole sentence.
This bill was written by inmate Doug Gilding from his prison cell!!! Doug is serving Life-Without-Parole for a murder that occurred while he was at home in bed sleeping; similar to Ryan Holle's case... who was recently released from prison after a governor's commutation, and was the inspiration for this bill.
During his time in prison, Doug has dedicated himself to positive change, teaching GED classes, training service dogs for disabled veterans, and becoming a certified paralegal. Ironically, despite years spent as a law clerk helping other inmates secure their freedom, Doug has been unable to overturn his own conviction.