A sad day for justice. AP:
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for a Georgia man to be put to death for killing a police officer two weeks after it halted his execution to consider his appeal.
Troy Davis asked the high court to intervene in his case and order a new trial because seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony. Former President Jimmy Carter and South Africa Archbishop Desmond Tutu are among prominent supporters who have called for a new trial.
MacPhail’s mother, Annaliese MacPhail, told CNN she had not yet been officially notified of the court’s decision, but “this is what we were hoping for, and I hope pretty soon that we will have some peace and start our life, especially my grandchildren — my grandson and granddaughter. It has overshadowed their lives.
“Right now, I’m kind of numb because I’ve been so edgy and keyed up about the whole thing,” she said. “And I haven’t had a chance to react.”
The human rights group Amnesty International USA, however, condemned the court’s decision.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is truly shocking, given that significant evidence of Davis’ innocence will never have a chance to be examined,” said Larry Cox, the organization’s executive director. “It is disgraceful that the highest court in the land could sink so low when doubts surrounding Davis’ guilt are so high.”
Another death warrant to be signed by a judge will come quickly.