Regular readers know that I do not use this blog for religious or political commentary. Tonight, however, my heart is so heavy that I have to share what I consider a great injustice.
Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a GA police officer in 1989. He has maintained his innocence throughout. The case against Davis was entirely circumstantial based on witnesses who offered inconsistent testimonies even at the time. There was NO physical evidence presented at the trial, and the murder weapon (a gun) was never discovered.
Troy Davis was sentenced to death. Since the time of the trial ALL BUT TWO witnesses have recanted their testimony, many of them signing affidavits that they were coerced by the police to testify against Davis.
Over the last several years, an active movement has tried to help Troy Davis. Even the Pope has been involved. However, the GA Board of Pardons and Paroles has refused (most recently on Friday) any pleas for clemency. There is currently no stay for the execution scheduled for tomorrow (9/23) at 7:00 PM.
Photo from Amnesty Internation Website
This case has been widely reported in the news, especially in the last year. So why bother telling you about it now? Because it grieves me so. If you are so inclined, please visit the Amnesty International Website to learn more about this case so you will be informed about what has happened.
Whatever your beliefs about religion or the death penalty, please follow this story. It will be much in the news tomorrow whether or not a stay is ordered. And it will be much in my heart. I ache for Troy Davis and for his family.
[ September 23, 1:20 PM UPDATE: The Georgia Supreme Court last night denied requests to stay the execution. Now, within hours of the execution, only the Supreme Court of the United States can do anything to stop tonight's execution.]
4 comments:
I must admit that the details you provide are just stunning--a conviction on circumstantial evidence, absence of any weapon being found, and sentencing someone to death.
It seems unbelievable that this could happen. Canada has no death penalty and I think that is a good thing.
Thanks for posting about this. I have such a problem with the death penalty. And I guess I'll just leave it at that.
These are the instances where you question, what the system is even for.....I hadn't heard about this until now.
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