Truemors
Troy Anthony Davis is scheduled for execution by lethal injection in Georgia on September 23, 2008. Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU, is appealing to the public to object to Mr. Davis' execution.
Mr. Davis was convicted solely on witness testimony, and those witness statements are now falling apart. However, appeals are restricted to the point that innocent people with new evidence may not be able to present the new evidence before the courts. If Mr. Davis' case had physical evidence, perhaps the Innocence Project could do DNA testing on his behalf. To date, more than 207 people have been exonerated based on DNA evidence. The Innocence Project reports as follows:
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http://www.innocenceproject.org/
947 Years. In Their Prime. In Prison. Innocent.
One-third of the 220 DNA exonerees were arrested between ages 14 and 22. They spent the prime of their lives in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. Young people are getting involved today and helping to fix the system in their states to prevent future wrongful convictions. Watch a two-minute video and find out what you can do today.
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Interested persons can use this link to object to Mr. Davis' execution:
Act now to demand justice and stop the execution of Troy Anthony Davis.
Mr. Davis' situation is similar to Thomas Arthur's case in that Mr. Arthur was scheduled for execution in Alabama on July 31 without being allowed to test the DNA evidence relevant to his conviction. Both men have more to present to the court to prove their claims of innocence, if only they were allowed to do so. Learn more about Mr. Arthur in the satirical artical here:
. . . EXECUTIONS ARE FUN FOR FOLKS, NO OFFENSE INTENDED
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/thomas-arthur-doesnt-get-it-executions-are-fun-folks-no-offense-intended-mary-neal
An estimated 60% of Americans agree with this country having a death penalty, but many express outrage at the thought of innocent people being executed for any reason, especially when new evidence might prove their innocence.
The ACLU is hopeful that the public will rally behind Mr. Davis and demand a postponement of his execution and that he be allowed to present evidence relevant to his professed innocence.
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They will either take into account compelling evidence challenging Mr. Davis’ guilt or choose to ignore that evidence and allow his sentence to stand. They have the power to stop this indefensible execution, and we must implore them to make the right decision. An African-American, Davis was convicted of the murder of off-duty Savannah Police Officer Mark MacPhail in 1991. No physical evidence links him to the crime, and he has steadfastly maintained his innocence. His conviction was based solely on the testimony of witnesses. There was no other evidence against him. And, since his trial, seven of those witnesses have recanted -- changing the story they told in court. Some witnesses say they were coerced by police. Others have even signed affidavits implicating one of the remaining two witnesses as the actual killer. But due to an increasingly restrictive appeals process, none of this new evidence has ever been heard in court. Act now to demand justice and stop the execution of Troy Anthony Davis. The ACLU believes the death penalty is the ultimate denial of civil liberties. Our work to abolish the death penalty includes supporting moratorium and repeal movements through public education and advocacy, engaging in systemic reform of the death penalty process, and case-specific litigation highlighting some of the death penalty’s fundamental flaws. The case of Troy Davis highlights all that the ACLU finds problematic with the death penalty such as the risk of innocent people being executed, inadequate counsel and racial and geographic disparities. It is an example of our criminal justice system’s inability to ensure that only the guilty are convicted at trial and sentenced to death. The Troy Davis case also is an example of a less obvious problem with our criminal justice system -- that the ever-increasing number of procedural hurdles erected by courts and legislators to deny death-row inmates relief and expedite their executions has seriously eroded the system’s ability to correct its mistakes. That’s why I’m calling on ACLU supporters in Georgia and across the nation to add our voices to those of people who have grave concerns about this case -- including former judge, FBI Director and death penalty proponent William Sessions. Act now to demand justice and stop the execution of Troy Anthony Davis. The Georgia Department of Pardons and Paroles will meet just three days from now. So, we need you to act right away. Thank you for standing with us and standing up for justice. Sincerely,  Anthony D. Romero Executive Director ACLU P.S. If you are in the Atlanta area, join us for the Justice Matters: Rally to Save Troy Davis at the State Capitol in Atlanta (206 Washington Street, SW) on the Washington Street steps, 6:00 PM -- 8:00 PM. For more information, email field@aclu.org. © ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 | |||||||||||||
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Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Savannah, Georgia. According to Amnesty International, the case against him consisted only of witness testimony that contained inconsistencies, even at trial. Since then, all but two of the state’s nine 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 into testifying or signing statements.
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The following message and links appear on the Save Troy Davis website at http://www.troyanthonydavis.org/:
Georgia Sets New Execution Date for Troy: Sept 23, 2008 Latest news: Troy Davis is being given a clemency hearing on Sept. 12.
Justice Matters: Rally to Save Troy Davis: September 11, 2008
6pm-8pm
State Capitol: (front steps in front of Washington St.)
Atlanta, Georgia
For more info: troy@aiusa.org / 404-876-5661 ext. 13
Spread the word! Come out and show your support!
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Mary Neal
http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com
Assistance to the Incarcerated Mentally Ill
Visit Online at: http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/AIMI
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. ~ Matthew 25:37-40
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