Dear John, This week, The Sentencing Project’s “felony murder” research was featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO. “Felony murder” occurs when a person participates in a felony, such as a robbery, that results in someone’s death.
John Oliver shared devastating stories of how felony murder laws compel harsh decades-long - including life - sentences even when the individual charged did not directly cause or intend the loss of life.
Thousands of Americans, mostly African Americans, will remain behind bars their entire lives, even when they do not pose a risk to community safety.
Learn more about felony murder laws in our report published with Fair and Just Prosecution here.
Watch the Last Week Tonight segment here and share this video with your community. |
