Troy Davis Scheduled To Be Executed Sept. 23, 2008

[one...two...tree 2,762]

On Monday, March 17, 2008, the Georgia Supreme Court decided 4-3 to deny a new trial for Troy Anthony Davis, despite significant concerns regarding his innocence. This stunning decision by the Georgia Supreme Court to let Mr. Davis' death sentence stand means that the state of Georgia might soon execute a man who may well be innocent.

Background

Restrictions on Federal appeals have prevented Troy Anthony Davis from having a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him, despite the fact that most of the witnesses have since recanted, many alleging they were pressured or coerced by police. Troy Davis remains on Georgia death row, and may be scheduled for execution in the near future.

Troy Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail at a Burger King in Savannah, Georgia; a murder he maintains he did not commit. There was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime was never found. The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state's non-police 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 by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester "Red" Coles – the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

Visit Troy Davis' website

http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/tr...=28&n3=1412

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yup - sounds pretty dodgy.

[IAMX 3,055]

Someone's a bit quick on the noose if witness testimony can bring a death sentence.

Then again, it's hard to say since I don't know all of the evidence, so...

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Perhaps it is Palin's fault.

[IAMX 3,055]

Perhaps it is Palin's fault.

Agreed. She fails at being Governor of Georgia. She should have stopped the Russians, who she could see all the way from Alaska.

Edited September 12, 2008 by SRVT