URGENT: Please Help Stop The Imminent Execution of Troy Davis

[FourScore]

URGENT: Please Help Stop The Imminent Execution of Troy Davis
by maya354
Sun Sep 21, 2008 at 01:34:23 PM PDT

Sorry, I am reposting this because of the urgency of the situation. As an attorney, this is one of the most egregious death penalty cases I have come across, and I just hope that through others' actions, Davis will be granted clemency and a new trial.

Troy Anthony Davis is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection this coming Tuesday, September 23rd at 7pm for a crime he may not have committed.

Troy Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail at a Burger King in Savannah, Georgia; a murder he maintains he did not commit. There was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime was never found. The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/Affadavits.pdf

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester “Red” Coles – the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

Georgia’s supreme court, in a 4-3 decision, denied Davis a new trial, despite concerns about his innocence.

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency for Davis shortly before on September 12th. They did so despite overwhelming doubts of Davis’ guilt - and after stating last year that they would “not allow an execution to proceed in this State unless and until its members are convinced that there is no doubt as to the guilt of the accused.” The Board has the power to step in at any point up until the scheduled execution.

This is a disgusting and dire example of one of the many injustices evident in the U.S.’s criminal “justice” system. No one should be executed for a crime if no physical evidence inculpates them. Davis deserves a new trial that would allow introduction of the new evidence obtained.

Please, please, please take action: send an email, sign the petition, call the number, spread the word to your friends, send a fax, more info here:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/troy-davis-finality-over-fairness/page.do?id=1011343&n1=3&n2=28&n3=1412

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/21/16316/1759/372/605762

[NightWatcher]

1. being from Savannah, I watched this case recently. It is complete BS

and further evidence that the death penalty is completely wrong. It allows no room for errors in cases where, LIKE THIS ONE, there are doubts.

Unfortunately, I dont think he'll get another chance and the state will murder another innocent man.

[alphafemale]

3. There's a candlelight vigil this Tues at 6:30 PM.

See your PM for details.

I want to try to avoid a FReeper counter protest.

I don't want Troy's family to have to see that.

[NightWatcher]

4. I'm in Jax, Fl and working, but I'll be there in spirit

In school, I studied criminal justice and was amazed to read a number of case files of death penalty cases where innocent people where killed by the state.

[alphafemale]

5. I'll light an extra candle for you then.

This is just awful. Knowing his sister makes this even more horrid.

[FourScore]

2. Via the amnestyusa link, you can send an email

to the State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator (SDPAC) in your state. Click the above link and look on the right side of the screen. Click the blue "contact" link and type your protest. Then send. It's easy and quick. Please, let's try to stop this injustice.

[pleah]

6. Already done,

I get their e-mails. K&R for others to see and maybe send a letter.

:hi:

[otherlander]

7. K&R

[otherlander]

10. Kick!

:kick:

[FourScore]

8. kick

[aikoaiko]

9. Even a Savannah pro-death penalty Democrat is not comfortable with this execution.

The late 80s were bad times for Savannah and crime. Overzealous prosecution and apparent witness intimidation really screwed up this case. Eyewitness testimony only cases are often flawed.