Doug Gilding’s case, where he has spent almost 30 years incarcerated under the Felony Murder Rule despite never being at the scene of the crime, is a prime example of the law's injustice. This systemic problem is the central focus of the Last Week Tonight with John Oliver segment on the rule.
“Felony murder really doesn't address crime at all, all it does is throw people in prison for decades for something that they often did not do.”
— John Oliver, Last Week Tonight
— John Oliver, Last Week Tonight
The host, John Oliver, highlights how the Felony Murder doctrine continues to unjustly impact people who had no intent and no involvement in the underlying homicide. Doug’s case illustrates why this law is an "historic survivor for which there is no logical or practical basis for existence in modern law" (as cited in the segment) and why reform is urgently needed.