Georgia inmate Troy Davis was executed Wednesday night for the 1989 murder of Mark MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah police officer.
Davis died at 11:08 p.m. ET, according to a prison official. The execution was about four hours later than initially scheduled, because prison officials waited for a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Davis' request for a stay.
After 10 p.m. ET, the Supreme Court, in a brief order, rejected Davis' request. His supporters had sought to prevent the execution, saying seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted or contradicted their testimony.
Below are the developments as they happened. Read the full story here.
[Updated at 11:50 p.m.] Jon Lewis of WSB radio, one of the execution witnesses, gave this account of the minutes before Davis' death:
After the warden read the execution order and asked whether Davis had anything to say, Davis – strapped to a gurney – lifted his head up and looked at the witness area's first row, which was where MacPhail's relatives and friends sat.
“(Davis) made a statement in which he said ... 'Despite the situation you're in, (I) was not the one who did it.' He said he was not personally responsible for what happened that night, that he did not have a gun. He said to the family that he was sorry for their loss, but also said that he did not take their son, father, brother.
"He said to them to dig deeper into this case, to find out the truth. He asked his family and friends to keep praying, to keep working, to keep the faith. And then he said to the prison staff, the ones he said 'are going to take my life,' ... ‘May God have mercy on your souls,’ and his last words to them (were), 'May God bless your souls.'"
Another witness, reporter Rhonda Cook of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper, also gave quotes from Davis. According to her, Davis said: "The incident that night was not my fault. I did not have gun."
"And that’s when he told his friends to continue the fight and 'look deeper into this case so you can really find the truth,'" Cook said.
Davis also said, according to Cook: "For those about to take my life, may God have mercy on your souls, may God bless your souls."
Davis said to the MacPhail family, according to Cook: "I did not personally kill your son, father and brother. I am innocent."
Hours earlier, Davis declined what the prison offered him as a final meal, Cook said.
[Updated at 11:12 p.m.] Davis has been executed, a prison representative has said. The time of death was 11:08 p.m. ET.
[Updated at 10:55 p.m.] Davis' execution is expected to begin between 11:05 to 11:10 p.m. ET, the Georgia Department of Corrections says.
[Updated at 10:36 p.m.] People who'd been protesting for hours across the street from the prison where Davis will be executed are chanting, "We are Troy Davis," CNN's David Mattingly reported.
[Updated at 10:21 p.m.] The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Davis' motion for a stay of execution.
Word of the Supreme Court's decision comes more than three hours after Davis was scheduled to be executed, and more than four hours after Davis' attorneys had filed the motion.
With the ruling, Georgia is expected to proceed with Davis' execution.
[Updated at 10:07 p.m.] The daylong gathering across the street from the prison by Davis' supporters has turned into a candlelight vigil, CNN's Gustavo Valdes reports. Hundreds still are waiting for a resolution. Some are praying, and some others are singing.
[Updated at 9:41 p.m.] The Rev. Raphael Warnock said he was standing with Davis' relatives on the grounds of the prison when they heard the execution wouldn't happen at the scheduled time.
"I was standing with the family at about 7 p.m. By that time, of course, naturally, we were expecting the worst," Warnock, a pastor to Davis' family, told CNN's Piers Morgan. "Suddenly we began to hear cheers from the crowd across the way, and the word came that the execution had been delayed.
"Certainly we're glad that Troy Davis is still alive, but we are still witnessing, in my estimation, a civil right violation and a human rights violation in the worst way unfold before our very eyes. This is Troy Davis’ fourth execution date. I’m glad that he’s alive, but that in and of itself is cruel and unusual punishment. America can do much better than this."
Asked if Davis had had what would have been offered as a last meal, Warnock indicated that Davis might have skipped it.
“I do know that on the last time he received an execution warrant, he refused his last meal," Warnock said. "I spoke earlier tonight with his nephew ... and he said his uncle would refuse his last meal again today. He has continued to insist that this is not his last meal. I must say to you that he evinces a faith that is just amazing, even to me as his pastor."
[Updated at 9:05 p.m.] The number of police officers standing outside the Georgia prison housing Davis has risen to more than 100, CNN's David Mattingly reported. The officers are watching protesters, who've been across the street for hours.
The crowd has been orderly, Mattingly said. While it had been chanting for much of the day, they're "probably as quiet as I’ve heard them all night," Mattingly reported.
[Updated at 8:55 p.m.] Dozens of people have gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., in support of Davis, footage from CNN affiliate WJLA shows.
Still no ruling from the court on Davis' request for a stay of execution.
[Updated at 8:39 p.m.] This video report from CNN's David Mattingly, made about 40 minutes ago, shows the people who've been protesting across the street from the prison where Davis is being held, and the police officers in riot gear who are in front of the prison, watching the protesters.
[Updated at 8:19 p.m.] The mother of the police officer that Davis was convicted of killing told CNN's Anderson Cooper that she is "absolutely devastated" that the execution has yet to happen.
“I’m absolutely devastated because I want it over with. ... They’ve been through the courts four times there in Georgia. They’ve been to the Supreme Court three times," Anneliese MacPhail said in an interview from her home, referring to previous delays. "This delay, again, is very upsetting and I think very unfair to us."
"I'd like to close this book," she said. "We feel (Davis is) guilty. The evidence and everything that we have seen – that I have seen , because I’ve been to all the trials – he is guilty, and I believe in that. And so does the rest of my family.”
[Updated at 8:10 p.m.] The time that the U.S. Supreme Court is taking to rule on Davis' motion for a stay of execution is unusual, CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said. "Usually, it’s handled pretty promptly," Toobin said.
Davis' lawyers filed the motion at about 6 p.m., an hour before Davis' scheduled execution. The state attorney general's office filed a response shortly afterward.
The two hours that the court has had the motion is "not a long time, but it's long enough for (the nine justices) to respond and say, 'Go ahead,'" Toobin said. "So it does suggest that they’re taking this seriously, and there may be some disagreement.”
[Updated at 7:43 p.m.] After a brief moment of jubilation upon hearing that the execution hasn't yet happened, Davis' supporters – who have gathered outside the grounds of the prison where he is being held – are regrouping and talking about what might be next, CNN's Emma Lacey-Bordeaux reports. "Troy Davis can never die" is a common theme.
The state of Georgia isn't proceeding with the execution until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on Davis' request for a stay. Davis' attorneys filed the request about an hour before Davis' scheduled 7 p.m. execution.
Davis' supporters, who had been chanting, are now letting out cheers as drivers pass and honk their horns. Otherwise, the mood is tense as they wait for a development, Lacey-Bordeaux reports.
[Updated at 7:26 p.m.] The state of Georgia hasn't yet proceeded with the execution of Troy Davis, because it is waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on his request for a stay, CNN's Bill Mears reports.
Davis had been scheduled to be executed at 7 p.m. ET. His attorneys filed a motion asking the Supreme Court for a stay about an hour before the scheduled execution time.
[Updated at 7:06 p.m.] Inside the grounds of the prison where Davis is scheduled to be executed, about 100 people, including Davis' sister, have formed a tight circle and are praying and singing, CNN's Gustavo Valdes reports.
[Updated at 6:32 p.m.] Davis' attorneys have filed a motion with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking for a stay of execution, the court has said. No decision yet.
[Updated at 6:28 p.m.] Earlier, this blog mentioned a protest outside the White House against Troy Davis' scheduled execution. Here is video of the protest:
[Updated at 6:20 p.m.] CNN's David Mattingly notes that according to the state Department of Corrections' schedule, Davis would have been offered a mild sedative, to calm his nerves, at 6 p.m.
[Updated at 5:58 p.m.] Davis' supporters outside the Jackson, Georgia, prison where he is to be executed are growing louder, CNN's David Mattingly reports. Frequent chants include: "Death Row? Hell No!" and "Free Troy Davis."
[Updated at 5:54 p.m.] CNN's David Mattingly notes that Davis, who had been scheduled for execution three previous times, "has never been as close to dying as he is at this hour." A previous scheduled execution was called off more than two hours before it was to happen; this time, Davis is a little more than an hour from the scheduled time.
"He has already said goodbye to friends and family visiting today," Mattingly writes. "He's been served his last meal. Everyone is waiting to see if a last-minute appeal now working it's way up the legal system might somehow stop or delay Troy Davis' pending appointment with lethal injection."
[Updated at 5:41 p.m.] The Georgia Supreme Court says it has unanimously denied a stay of execution for Troy Davis.
The court also denied his request for another appeal to be heard.
His attorneys will now ask the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the execution – Davis' last hope, CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said.
"The United States Supreme Court has a procedure in place. They know when executions are coming; they are expecting an application, so I expect this will be acted on fairly quickly. ... It’s unlikely that a stay will be granted, but that possibility exists, and that’s Troy Davis’ only hope," Toobin said.
[Updated at 4:33 p.m.] With one eye on the clock, celebrity supporters of Troy Davis are using their platforms to continue to spread the word about the Georgia inmate.
[Updated at 4:31 p.m.] A Butts County Superior Court judge has declined to halt the execution of Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Davis’ attorney Brian Kammer tells CNN the appeal is now being brought before the Georgia Supreme Court.
[Updated at 4:14 p.m.] Davis saw 25 visitors Wednesday during the six-hour window (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) he was allowed to receive them before his scheduled 7 p.m. execution, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
The visitors included relatives, friends, clergy and an attorney.
[Updated at 3:06 p.m.] A look at Davis' schedule today at the Jackson, Georgia, prison where he is scheduled to be executed at 7 p.m., from CNN's John Murgatroyd:
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Visitation with family, friends, clergy and/or attorneys.
3 p.m.: Will undergo a physical.
4 p.m.: Last meal offered.
5 p.m.: Opportunity to record final statement.
6 p.m.: An optional sedative will be offered.
[Updated at 3:02 p.m.] About 100 people have gathered outside the White House in Washington, D.C., protesting Davis' scheduled execution in Georgia. The crowd consists mostly of students from Washington's Howard University, CNN's Lesa Jansen and Bob Kovach report.
One of the protesters, Howard graduate student Tamatha Scott, said in a CNN iReport video that the students marched from Howard to the White House, responding to student leaders' call to protest on Twitter.
“I started seeing the tweets about it late last night. It has been a very peaceful protest,” Scott said.
CNN's Lesa Jansen took this photo of the protest:
[Updated at 2:38 p.m.] An example of the high-profile support that Davis has received: Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, New Jersey, posted the following to his Twitter account Wednesday afternoon:
"The State should not be executing Troy Davis. . . if there is even a chance that he is innocent, why execute?"
Davis has gained international support. Public figures including Pope Benedict XVI, Desmond Tutu and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, entertainers such as Susan Sarandon, Harry Belafonte and the Indigo Girls, and others have joined with Amnesty International, the NAACP and other groups in supporting Davis' efforts to be exonerated. On Wednesday, the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it "deeply regrets" the parole board's decision.
[Updated at 2:32 p.m.] Outside the Jackson, Georgia, prison where Davis is to be executed at 7 p.m., many of the speakers have struck hopeful notes, and some say they hope to change the system for the future, CNN's Emma Lacey-Bordeaux reports.
Many are holding hand-lettered signs, with messages such as, "Spare Troy Davis." Some have produced signs showing Davis' picture and the message, "NAACP says too much doubt."
One of the signs carried outside the Jackson prison refers to the NAACP's stance.
[Updated at 1:34 p.m.] Dozens of people have already gathered at the prison in Jackson, Georgia, where Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, CNN's Gustavo Valdes reported.
People gather Wednesday outside the prison in Jackson, Georgia, where Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is among those at the site.
The group is praying and holding hands, Valdes reported.
[Updated at 1:28 a.m. ET] The Georgia Department of Corrections told CNN it has denied a request by Troy Davis' lawyers to conduct a polygraph test.
[Updated at 10:16 a.m. ET] The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has declined to reconsider its decision denying clemency to Troy Davis.
Supporters of Davis have been hoping that some last-ditch efforts might help save him from being executed on Wednesday night. Earlier Wednesday, his team filed an appeal asking to stay his execution.
[Posted at 9:13 a.m. ET] Attorneys for Troy Davis, facing execution in Georgia at 7 p.m. Wednesday, have filed a request to stay his execution in Butts County Superior Court.
Davis is scheduled to die by lethal injection Wednesday night in Jackson, Georgia, for the 1989 shooting death of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail.
The parole board declined to grant Davis clemency Tuesday following a hearing Monday in which it heard testimony calling into question physical evidence and witness statements that a Chatham County jury relied on in convicting Davis in 1991. In Georgia, only the board - not the governor - has the right to grant clemency.
Since Davis' conviction, seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Davis' supporters say the original witnesses were fearful of police and spoke under duress.
Other witnesses also have since come forward with accounts that call Davis' conviction into question, according to his supporters.
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'In Georgia, only the board — not the governor — has the right to grant clemency.'
Sooooooo.....they are trying to have a stay of execution to go up before the same board again in the future? Sigh. What do you think the outcome will be? Again?
But what are their other options? You can only go to this board for clemency. They're stuck it seems. I don't understand why the board doesn't see what the rest of us see – or why they don't want to see it.
I certainly do not see an innocent man, that is sure. I am guessing there is probably a 99 percent chance he shot that cop. The casings from the murder weapon match those of the gun he was toting around earlier that day with which he pistol whipped someone with and shot another man in the face with. Can't guarantee they are from the same weapon, but sure is a very unlikely conicidence. The reason there is such a controversy is that there is a death penalty in this case. If the dude would have got life in prison without parole, this would likely not even be an issue. The only thing that changed in this is the eyewitness testimony, in which the recanted testimony is less compelling than the testimony that condemned this man. Obviously the board believes the prosecution had enough physical evidence to eliminate the eye witness testimony. Last thing that should happen is for this guy to be set free.
Please, before anyone replys anymore. He did admit shooting a man in the face at a pool party. Then later in the evening he admitted pistol whipping a man at a convenient store. Minutes later a cop was shot in the face on the same street. The shell casings were from the same weapon. Sure, some witnesses say they were pressured from the police. im sure they were. Come on people. All the witnesses never said he didnt do it, even in their recants. Before you listen to the media position the story the way they want you to hear it. Read the 172 page report from Judge Moore. He lists all the testimony from everyone. Then make your own decision.
@ ick who said: "I certainly do not see an innocent man, that is sure. I am guessing there is probably a 99 percent chance he shot that cop."
So you are ok with the 1% chance he didnt do it but still gets executed to satisfy the cops wife?
This makes Georgia look REALLY bad. Georgia's state song should be "that's the night that the lights went out in Georgia".
Georgia doesn't seem to have changed much since the 1800's or least it doesn't appear to have changed a bunch.
Dude-the stay of execution was filed in a court of law, which is kind of standard for stays. What has that got to do with the board and their clemency determination? (Hint: nothing)
"He did admit shooting a man in the face at a pool party. Then later in the evening he admitted pistol whipping a man at a convenient store."
annapo: No. Troy Davis never admitted to either of these things. Davis claims that he wasn't even at the party. Nobody saw Davis at the pool party. Cooper said he didn't know Davis and couldn't think of any reason Davis would have shot him. Cooper did not see who shot him. Davis said Coles pistol-whipped the homeless guy.
Coles admits driving near the party, admits having a .38 cal in his possession, admits arguing with the homeless guy (but claims Davis was the one who pistol-whipped him), and says he saw Davis kill MacPhail. There is a witness named Washington who says Coles shot MacPhail.
Stop spreading misinformation. Davis never admitted to the other two crimes.
[Quote]Obviously the board believes the prosecution had enough physical evidence to eliminate the eye witness testimony. Last thing that should happen is for this guy to be set free.[/Quote]
It's ridiculous to think there is enough physical evidence when the prosecutor couldn't even find the weapon.
"Davis claims that he wasn't even at the party."
Actually, strike that. Davis did admit being at the party. He never, however, admitted to shooting Cooper or pistol-whipping Young. He said that Coles assaulted Young.
well many are 1 percent sure elvis is alive and well.... there are witnesses! 12 people saw him fighting with mama cass over the laqst jelly doughnut at a convenience store in waxahachie. When elvis realized people had spotted him he ran and jumped into a spaceship that had a confederate flag decal on it's side and flew off into space.
@d My point is that he should not walk. 1% in my book is not enough to be considered reasonable doubt. The only way anyone could be 100% sure is if they witnessed the murder first hand. Otherwise you have to make a judgement based on the evidence, which is compelling enough to eliminate reasonable doubt. Another point I was trying to make is that this is only an issue because the death penalty is in play. If there was no death penalty, life without parole would likely be an acceptable sentence for the majority of the people protesting this case.
NEEDLE! NEEDLE! NEEDLE! NEEDLE! NEEDLE! NEEDLE! NEEDLE! NEEDLE!
What is "reasonable doubt" ? Does anyone know here?
http://multimedia.savannahnow.com/media/pdfs/DavisRuling082410.pdf
172 page report....
Ick.....you gave a perfectly good explanation as to why an execution should not be carried out.
Have Davis serve life and at least give him a chance to have his innocence proved.....or serve the sentence, which is no picnic.
To 'D', I am just fine with the 1 % chance that he may not have killed the cop. It's not likely that would be the case. He is a bad man and has made volitale decisions. Is it a coincedence that his gun had same shells as what were found with the other man he shot in the face? I am so tired of bleeding hearts who will go out on a limb for a very clearly dangerous character, providing all the support to have his sentence changed. Meanwhile, a family of a man who was just doing his frigging job is learning how to live without their loved one. Why all the hub bub for someone who has no regard for human life? He is a LOSER!! He has a history of a career criminal, so yes, lets just go right on out there and raise our fists in support of this life sucker. He will get exactly what is coming to him and I will applaud the state of Georgia for upholding the decision. At least GA tax payers won't have to pay for his 3 hots and a cot anymore.
@ Thor – Reasonable doubt means that the proposition being presented by the prosecution must be proven to the extent that there could be no "reasonable doubt" in the mind of a "reasonable person" that the defendant is guilty. There can still be a doubt, but only to the extent that it would not affect a reasonable person's belief regarding whether or not the defendant is guilty. If doubt does affect a "reasonable person's" belief that the defendant is guilty, the jury is not satisfied beyond "reasonable doubt". The precise meaning of words such as "reasonable" and "doubt" are usually defined within jurisprudence of the applicable country. – Wikipedia
Most people from the state of Georgia made many bad decisions 22 years ago and they are alos LOSERS... I know, lets murder all of them too!
This is gotta end soon. Execute him and lets move on.
@annapo: Troy Davis himself never admitted to any of the crimes. The only part that states Troy Davis admitted is based on the testimony of witnesses who have later rencanted. Also did you read the part where the witness says Troy Davis admitted but said he didn't believe his story? So again, like Bruce sugested, please get the information correct before spouting off misinformation.
Save your breath Anappo. No amount of logic will convince any anti death sentence protester that a murderer committed the crime. No amount of evidence will either. They are ONLY interested in stopping the death penalty. They are not interested in Troy Davis per se. They will now move on to the next case. They will make up more stories. None of them have read anything factual about the case...and prefer to only listen to what the activists and celebs tell them. They are little more than sheep.
@Virgo indeed. And the whole debacle will start again in 30 days probably.
This is insane. Why don't they just grant him a new trial? The problem is that as he is now convicted, he will have to PROVE INNOCENCE, not have them prove guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt. And we all know you can't prove a negative.
So a new trial, where the parameters are set back to zero, as it were, and they have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt again is the fairest solution.
Great point!
That is why it will NEVER hapen; unless the SUPREMES enter, once again, into this horrible situation, Troy Davis is HISTORY at 7p today...
@lynn – he was convicted by a jury of his peers, 7 of which were black. He has had many retrials. His defense could not prove his innocence. the prosecution proved he was guilty!
LET HIM GO IF SOLID EVIDENCE IS THERE.
AMEN!!! @ Jack. People see a black man and he HAD to do it. If the evidence was there for a white man they would let him "stay", they would let him "appeal" again, I guess our Bill of Rights is a Bill of MAYBE's.....Let's get it together!!!
Soljagurl: You are wrong in your assumption that they want to put him to death just b/c of his skin color. A jury of 7 blacks and 5 whites gave him the death penalty based on a case of evidence. That being said, I pray that they DO NOT put this man to death. The death penalty is wrong. Also, there IS a racial bias in giving out the death penalty especially in the South.
@soljagurl, why does it have to be a racial thing now? It is not that at all, but, in my opinion, when evidence exists which creates Reasonable Doubt, it needs to be thoroughly explored before a Death Sentence can be carried out. The Doubt is bountiful here and it is an injustice not to re-open the case. This country needs to get away from the race issue. Justice for all Americans is the point. No one is oppressed in this country anymore, unless you want to say everyone who is not Upper Class, but, that is for another discussion.
@Pauline – I agree with you that the concept of the Death Penalty is wrong. The only one who should be able to take our life is God. But, until it can be abolished, it is important that we take up individual battles in support of Innocent people.
Soljagurl or w/e your name is- Wow why can't black people move on already. You or ANY OTHER BLACK PERSON WAS NOT ALIVE DURING SLAVERY SO GET OVER IT!
It's so easy to play the race card. I am so over that. The thing I find amusing, the very race that has worked so hard for equality is the first to play the card. Society will never move on from a black/white stigma unless we bury the race card. Are black people okay with burying that card, or is abandoning that practice too scary?
Until all can live with the opinion and discipline that only God can take a life, long live the Death Penalty.
@soljagirl: Yes of course, every execution is about race. That's why the last execution in the US was of a white supremacist in Texas. Did you protest his execution, too?
@ Soljagurl seriously sweetie looks like you might be a racist one yourself.
Am American you need to wake up dear heart! This judicial system is not a fair system when it comes to African Americans ESPECIALLY AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN!!!! LEt me make it a little clearer for you, had this been the other way around, he would be spending life in prison point blank period! WHy? You ask because GA is a prejudice state always has been always will!!!!
Lady P you are right.. and Soljagurl... these people don't realize that racism is alive and well in the United States..
The most disturbing thing about this disturbing reality that he cannot be the only one. Don’t tell me we’ve not executed innocent people. It MUST have happened.
It’s a numbers game, surely?
Irreversible punishment is a very dangerous game indeed.
you're right. that is reason enough for the abolition of this medieval practice, shared by iran, myanmar, china, the taliban, saudi arabia...
if killing doesn't put you off, the certainty that at some point a mistake will be made (or the cops will abuse their power and frame someone) and an innocent peron will die.
Lets see. After serving 40 years in prison we find out the guy is innocent. But since we didn't execute him, we can reverse that punishment and he gets that 40 years back and starts all over. What's that? Years lost in prison aren't reversible either, you say? Fine. No more punishing the murderers.
@ridiculous : So you are ok with innocent people being killed? I hope you'd never be in that predicament.
just wook at those big bwown eyes and see this teddy bear could never have shot anyone in the face and pistol whipped another with the same gun – even if he confessed to exactly that. It is just a coincidence that the same gun he used in the crimes he admitted to was used to kill the officer who just happened to arrive at the scene where he had just pistol whipped a homeless man. Maybe some stranger grabbed his gun and shot the cop, yeah – that's the ticket!
good post! when we KNOW that humans aren't 100% perfect, and errors will be made. how can we support a system that takes away a life, if it can't be 100% infallible????? especially when we know that there are disadvantages built into the system, i.e. race, socioeconomic status, geography, and culture. We know rich folks tend to get better lawyers, and tend to win trials, or at very least avoid death penalty - poor folks get court-appointed lawyers, who tend to not work as hard to gather all evidence. Also, not saying this is a race issue in this case, but we do KNOW that race matters - black men receive death penalty at substantially higher rates than other races. Moreover, Southerners tend to convict and give death penalty more than other regions. It is really hard to justify taking lives (the ultimate punishment) in the name of retribution and deterrence, when we absolutely KNOW and can predict the erroneous administration of the death penalty.
Is it fair for ONE innocent man to die, in justification of a system that is not 100%??? I do not believe so.
Tell the cops little girl that the gun man should walk.NOT He is guilty and needs to be hung.Can i buy the rope.
We are sure he did it, we have witnesses to the actual murder. Of the witnesses to that murder three were members of the Air Force, who saw the shooting from their van in the Burger King drive-in lane and were able to positively identify Davis as the shooter. These men SAW the shooting...how much more evidence do you need then that. How about the jury of 7 blacks and 5 whites took only TWO hours to convict him of murder, does that help you?
@Aony
@ridiculous : So you are ok with innocent people being killed? I hope you'd never be in that predicament.
FYI, innocent people were killed, 22 years ago in this case in particular
I agree with you, Lan...but I think that is a conviction were to be overturned, it would have been overturned years ago. There is much that is in doubt here, but I'm not sure the State of Georgia is going to back down from this one; it takes a LOT to receive a new trial.
The dumb Parole Board sounds like it's making it a point of pride; as in "we've never given clemency before, and no matter what common sense and evidence there is, we're not granting it now!" They should just have granted him clemency and have been done with it.
Dragging this out is pointless.
Yeah, Virgo, I'm sure that this is about the Parole Board not wanting to lose face by backing down. Brilliant!
the fact of the matter is he was convicted of this heinous crime, the punishment must be carried out. To say he didn't kill the cop is ridiculous because all the evidence is looking you in the eyes! The NAACP and Amnisty International need to just back off because they're now setting a precedent that all death row inmates will follow!
Which evidence is that? The recanted testimony of seven eyewitnesses? The unsubstantiated testimony of the only two who didn't recant? Maybe it's the nonexistent physical evidence?
In any other state, the amount of doubt that has been cast on the reliability of the ONLY evidence in the case, the eyewitness testimony, would result in a new trial.
Furthermore, in requiring him to prove his innocence (instead of the state proving his guilt), the state of Georgia is setting a very dangerous legal precedent.
Trash he may be (I don't know the man), but what justice is there in executing him for a crime that he did not commit?
There is at least one eyewitness, who has so far been suppressed, who says they saw Sylvester Coles shoot MacPhail. Coles is one of the two "witnesses" who haven't yet recanted their testimony.
Troy Davis will probably be executed for a crime committed by Red Coles tonight. Go-go gadget-justice...
I saw the easter bunny......so does that get put in as evidence of him being real???
For all of you who say that "The system works" or "a Jury can't be wrong" look at the casey anthony case, better yet, The WEST MEMPHIS THREE were found guilty of raping, stabbing and mutilating the genitals of 3 eight year old cub scouts 18 years ago. One was even sentenced to death the other two got life. Guess where they are now. At home. Released under the "Alford Plea" A plea that says "The state has enough to prosecute you so, if we let you go, you can't sue us". WOW. Pick a side hypocrites!!!!
Hey Shane, what evidence is looking you in the eye?
Ask him to take a polygraph. If he passes, offer the stay. If he fails, throw the switch.
apparently he did ask, and the state declined. Polygraphs are only admissible in court if both sides agree, and the state never agreed.
Polygraphs are about as reliable as tea leaves, and for the same reason. the results depend far too heavily on the interpretations of the person giving the polygraph. If the person giving it is predisposed to finding them guilty, then the subject will fail the test. If they are predisposed to finding them innocent, they will pass, no matter what. You might as well flip a coin.
I've got an idea. How about a new trial? It's what the law calls for in this situation.
I once failed a polygraph test that I had requested. Interpretation is everything.
The jury found me not guilty.
Thank God for twelve reasonable people deciding my fate instead of one incompetent.
To clarify:
The Parole Board dragging this out is pointless.
Give the state the power of life and death, and it will inevitably use it for political gain. This situation is morally bankrupt, and makes us look as barbarous as any third world nation.
Marshall Hagy
Chicago
They have to stop this execution Even if he is guilty almost everyone has taken back there testimony, Im all for the death penalty if its 100 percent certain this is 5 percent
DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH? WELL HERE YA GO! THE SMOKING GUN! ("Redd Coles killed the cop not Troy Davis)
Tonya Johnson's actual affidavit:
"Sylvester Coles - we all called him Red - and a guy named Terry coming down the street from the Burger King. When I saw Red and Terry they were both in a panic and very nervous. Red and Terry each had a gun with them at that time. Red asked me to hold the guns for him, which I refused to do. Red then took both guns next door to an empty house and put them inside the screen door and shut the door... I have known Red all of my life. He used to live next door to me... For most of my life I have been scared to death of him. In fact, he threatened me after this happened. He told me that he wanted to make sure that I did not tell the police about the guns he hid in the screen door that morning. This is why I did not testify about the guns at Troy's trial because I was afraid of what Red would do to me if I did. I have not told anyone about this until now because I was still scared... But I have decided that I must tell the truth."
Dude, you are telling the wrong people.
So it wasn't police intimidation. This guy is now saying he was intimidated by an over active imagination. Is that cause for a retrial? (hint = NO)
Is there any twisting and willful misinterpretation of a sworn statement that you're not capable of, JohnO?
And to what purpose? A man's life hangs in the balance, and you have the nerve to act like an eye-witness, judge and jury all rolled up into one.
I do not know that Davis is innocent......and I surely do not know that he's guilty.
There is no way I could support the death penalty in this case.
You are a coward and when Troy Davis does die, his blood will be on your hands. At least call into the governor's office on a pay phone and move to another state. If Davis is innocent you MUST inform the state.
Thankyou so much for posting that important information!!!!
For all of you that think that this has to do with race, know that a jury of his "peers" convicted and sentenced Troy "On August 28, 1991, the jury, composed of seven blacks and five whites, took under two hours to find Davis guilty on one count of murder and the other offenses."
AND some members of the jury have said that if they knew then what they know now, Troy Davis would NOT have been convicted. They convicted him solely on the eye witnesses! You can debate this all day, the bottom line is ANY doubt even 1% should save this man from being murdered! This is AMERICA and we are constantly running our mouths about how other countries are monsters, if Troy is killed what does that make us? Monsters all the same. I personally believe he's innocent; however, the fight these attorneys are fighting is to keep him from being executed NOT setting him free and i pray they save Troy Davis! heartbreaking
It's not about race, and that same jury today, knowing what they know now, would not convict Troy Davis of MacPhail's murder. That's what the jurors say.
Coles shot MacPhail, not Davis. It's not about race. It's about executing the wrong man for the crime.
It was the judge who permitted impermissible evidence – that is mixed up shell casings- to use against defendant. Jurors didn't seem to aware that.
Given 20 years of spin, 20 years of pressure on witnesses to recant, it would be hard for any conviction to stand. And as for the comment that the judge allowed impermissible evidence to be admitted: Says who? Not any of the appellate courts. Again, only the spinmeisters.
dallas – the legal standard is REASONABLE DOUBT not ANY doubt. It is folks like you that give us OJ and Casey Anthony verdicts! Grow up!!!
JohnO
dallas – the legal standard is REASONABLE DOUBT not ANY doubt. It is folks like you that give us OJ and Casey Anthony verdicts! Grow up!!!
It is also folks like them that would protect YOU should you be wrongly accused and convicted in the court of public opinion. If this case does not raise reasonable doubts, than I don't know what would. It is folks like you that erode rights for everyone. Grow up.
Even if he was guilty:
a) Killing a police officer is the only murder that should NEVER be capital/death penalty, they put themselves in the line of fire, they chase people to take away their freedoms, and their wives damned well know there is a good chance every night their husband will come home in a body bag. Let them live with their choice, not blame others. Take responsibility. The cop was looking for Troy, not the other way around? Then he paid the price? Too bad.
b) Even if he is guilty, the problem with capital punishment is that it gives half the world the legal right to destroy the US!
He said he will take a polygraph, they will not let him. And to the person that solid evidence...ummm.. there isnt any. There is alot of pressure on the legal system to find cop killers. I really do understand. But their is not enough evidence for lethal injection. There is another possible suspect, the guy that told on him his best friend. And they really had nothing to convict Troy on but his testimony and what people said. So this is my issue, we are executing people, because of another criminal on parole said. Come on now. That is too much...
I"m curious why the same people who don't want to use a polygraph to convict (and rightly so, because polygraphs are unreliable) want to use them in cases like this one to get someone off the hook.
Twelve people who took the time to hear the testimony and see the evidence unanimously decided there was no reasonable doubt that he is guilty. Those of you who challenge that should remember that you didn't hear the testimony, you didn't see the evidence, you've just heard 20 years of spin.
This if for Eric the genius... I've been in sales, and I've convinced 1012 people of things that was total BS. Especially Americans in the South, why do you the telemarketers target them? They are sheep, easily convinced, because most of them lack formal education past high school.
Is this guy STILL alive? Maybe the reason the death penalty isn't a deterrent, as liberals are wont to claim, is that a guy waits 22 years to actually be put to death. To 20-year-old thug contemplating murder, 22 years might as well be a lifetime.
To me, the death penalty isn't a deterent. No one can prove that at all, but it is a way of making sure that person doesn't do it again. That's all and nothing more.
Do you think the history of executions began 22 years ago, smarty?
Wake up.......death penalties have NEVER in the history of mankind deterred anything.
RickyL........I bet it deters this cop killer from killing again.
@barack
"To me, the death penalty isn't a deterent. No one can prove that at all, but it is a way of making sure that person doesn't do it again."
So it is a deterrent then, it will deter that person from ever killing again...you know, like the ones that get out only to commit the same crimes again
It's true, same like.... next time a right-wing american makes the country look stupid, we can super-glue his miserable rotten decayed lips together do he never can do it again!
The legal system is family that don't accuse one another.
So true Ronald The Goverment the same way