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Will Georgia Kill an Innocent Man?

Troy Davis, convicted of killing a police officer, said Monday, July 9, 2007, that if the state puts him to death next week as scheduled it will be executing an innocent man.  (AP Photo/Georgia Department of Corrections) "The pending execution of Troy Anthony Davis, scheduled to take place on July 17, is raising serious questions about his guilt - and about the Newt Gingrich-era federal law that has limited his appeals options and prevented him, say his supporters, from getting a fair shake...."

"Seven of the nine main witnesses whose testimony led to his conviction have since recanted. The murder weapon has never been found, and there is no physical evidence linking the crime to Davis, who has asserted his innocence throughout."

Brendan Lowe's article examines this case, and shows that a 1996 law may have made it much more difficult for the innocent to get justice, and easier for them to get executed.  The legislature may have put a higher priority on reducing the court load than in saving the lives of innocent people.

See the article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20070713/us_time/willgeorgiakillaninnocentman

Also see Matthew Bigg's article on a move to stop or at least postpone the execution at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070713/us_nm/usa_execution_dc_1;_ylt=Ao4tn69FzkIc61zBHksYLoHBF4l4

To see all blog entries dealing with Troy Anthony Davis, click on http://www.loveshade.org/blog-mt/mt-search.fcgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=troy+anthony+davis. To see other news related to this case, see below:

The Georgia Supreme Court agreed to hear Davis' discretionary appeal, and put it on it's November calendar.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2007/08/03/davis_0804_web.html

Previous Updates: 

The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles suspended the hearing that was scheduled for this Thursday, August 9th.

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A second hearing had been scheduled for August 9, 2007.

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"Board of Pardons and Paroles issues up to 90 Day Stay of Execution -- July 16, 2007

"This Stay could be terminated at any time that the BPP feels they have sufficient evidence to make a decision. Even if they commute Troy's death sentence their only choice will be to commute it to Life Without Parole.

"The only chance to have Troy released is to succeed with the appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court. Please take action now and send this online letter to the Board of Pardons and Parole."

See more at the website this is taken from: http://www.troyanthonydavis.org/

See Representative John Lewis statement at http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/07/16/lewis_0716_web.html


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Comments

If that state convicted him, he's guilty. Are we going to let every murderer and rapist go free?

People get convicted who are innocent all the time! I have a friend who was arrested and it took years before they figured out he didn't do anything illegal. And he's still paying for it!

The police should be there to help people not to harrass them and set them up. And killing somebody is wrong. If murder is wrong, how can the law do it? America is the only major country that still has executions. Everybody else decided it's cruel and inhumane. And if you kill somebody who's innocent, you can't take it back!

What happened? Did the state execute an innocent man? Is this part of a coverup? Did he get an appeal?

It says he got a stay of execution but that could change. People just like killing other people makes them feel powerful. You just pretend you know they're guilty and 'ZAP'

Why is your country still killing people anyway?

I don't know why! We shouldn't kill anybody. I hope he goez free!

I hope you get free. The Man locks up anyone who's not The Man, or The Man's friend. Peace out.

The Man said the adulterous woman should be stoned to death. Jesus said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." No one did, and Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Jesus NEVER supported anyone being put to death.

The most violent wealthy nation on earth? America. We threw out the death penalty because it was cruel and inhumane and didn't work. America's the only wealthy nation with the death penalty. We just like to kill people.

What's wrong with America? If he's convicted he's GUILTY! How many murderers and rapists are we going to let go free so they can murder and rape again? If you commit a crime you deserve to be punished to the full letter of the law. If you kill or rape the death penalty is too good for you!

Good luck in November, Anthony!

If he's convicted he's GUILTY? What's wrong with you, Alice Palace? Lots of people are found innocent after they're convicted. Some after they're executed. Try reading a newspaper.