An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

« Bob Woodward on Bush’s Iraq Gamble

Sarah Palin’s Utopia of Wasilla »

Troy Anthony Davis execution date set (UPDATED)

Posted by JOE WINDISH, Technology Editor in At TMV.
Sep 5th, 2008 | Comments

Update: The clemency hearing has been set for Friday, Sept. 12th.

**************

The recantations of seven of the nine witnesses against him and support from Amnesty International, Hollywood celebrities, civil rights activists, the European Parliament, and Pope Benedict XVI have not stopped the Georgia Department of Corrections from ordering the execution to take place on September 23, 2008, at 7 p.m. EST.

EyeID:

Mr. Davis is charged with killing a police officer, based entirely on eyewitness evidence. There is no physical evidence in the case, and the murder weapon was never recovered. Seven of the nine eyewitnesses have recanted their testimony, with many claiming coercion and threats by the police who conducted the original investigation. One of the remaining witnesses has been accused of being the actual killer, and allegedly confessed to the crime. Mr. Davis has maintained his innocence from the outset, but has remained on death row for 17 years. In July, the European Parliament issued a resolution calling on Georgia to commute Troy Davis’s death sentence. More information at Troy Davis’s site and at Amnesty International USA.

Anyone concerned is urged to contact the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles and urge them to commute Mr. Davis’s death sentence. Amnesty International has created a web form, and traditional letters are encouraged as well, to the following address:

Georgia State Board of Pardons & Paroles
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE
Suite 458, Balcony Level, East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334

You can also fax a message to (404) 651-8502.

The date was set despite an appeal pending with US Supreme Court. The Georgia Parole Board has the power to commute the sentence to life without parole. A spokesman says no time has been scheduled for Davis’ attorneys to make pleas to the board.

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

GreenDreams

Austin Roth and I had an exchange about the death penalty on another thread. I have no mercy for murderers, but there's no excuse for US to become murderers either. This is exactly why I oppose the death penalty. Our justice system makes mistakes, and when, as in this case, there is clear evidence that the verdict is in error, yet we go forward with the execution, it is deliberate, premeditated murder. In this case, the jury is not guilty of murder, because they decided based on tainted evidence. But the judge, the prosecutor, the police, the warden, the governor and all of YOU, who support the death penalty, you are all guilty of murder. May God forgive you (after an appropriate term in hell).

jchem

GreenDreams,

Well said. I'm with you in opposition to the death penalty, but I don't think I would hold death penalty supporters responsible for murder. Those you mentioned who are in a position to reverse this need to step up to the plate, and I would guess that a great many of death penalty supporters would agree with that, especially if the conviction is in error.

GreenDreams

I know jchem, just trying to get their attention. I don't think anyone supports executing an innocent man or woman. But after SO many cases now in which 100% accurate DNA evidence has cleared death row prisoners, it's time for them to re-examine their support. There is no longer any question that we are murdering people by accident. This is not an area in which there should be ANY margin for error. Imagine being strapped down and injected with poison knowing you are innocent.

For those who profess belief in Christianity, what part of "thou shalt not kill" don't you understand? What part of "let you who are without sin cast the first stone" don't you understand?

jchem

I think some attention should be made of this. The more I read about the case and all of the legal obstacles that have prevented any appeals, the more I feel pretty sick about it. According to Wikipedia, this is all due to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which coincidentally received broad bipartisan support after the OKC bombings. I guess if the populace is in a state of fear, pretty much anything can get passed (sounds eerily familiar in today's world).

I agree, there should be no margin of error whatsoever. The fact that these witnesses recanted, coupled with the lack of physical evidence screams foul. I don't see the margin of error threshold passed here.

'Thou shalt not kill' has always puzzled me in this regard GreenDreams. It's routinely cited by those who are "pro life", but quickly forgotten when it comes to cases like these. If anyone here can square that, I would love to listen.

RememberNovember

Thou shalt not kill' has always puzzled me in this regard GreenDreams. It's routinely cited by those who are "pro life", but quickly forgotten when it comes to cases like these. If anyone here can square that, I would love to listen.

"an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth will leave us all toothless and blind."
MLK

RememberNovember

I think people would be less likely to be for capital punishment if they themselves had to throw the switch, rather than the classic executioner. Those of you who have seen The Dark Knight, this is evident.

blog comments powered by Disqus