I Wondered Why Somebody Didn't Do Something, So I'm Asking for Your Help....

[Guest]

.

[kf08]

Because Kiva is about helping people stand up for themselves and their families, I think it is acceptable to ask for your help on this.  Please understand that I am not advocating a political position here, as I prefer not to do so on this forum.  I am advocating for a man who may very well be innocent, but if nothing changes, will be put to death in Georgia this Tuesday, six days before The US Supreme Court is to make a decision about whether to hear his last-ditch appeal.  The case against him seems to have unraveled since his conviction, but so far the facts do not seem to matter. Thanks in advance to those who decide to read more. Here's a good summary of his story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/opinion/20herbert.html?em#

Here's the link to the Amnesty International page where you can get additional information:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/troy-davis-finality-over-fairness/page.do?id=1011343&n1=3&n2=28&n3=1412

If you are drawn to add your voice to those speaking up for Mr. Davis, this is the link for download the info to email the GA Board of Pardons and Paroles to request they delay the execution until after the Supreme Court decision:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa25008.pdf

Thank you,
Lynn

[Peter S]

more news on this, at just under 14 hours before the execution of Troy Davis is due to take place.


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Monday, September 22, 2008

[ . . . ] on Monday, the board rejected pleas to reconsider its recent decision to deny clemency on grounds there is too much doubt as to whether Davis shot and killed a Savannah police officer.

Also Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court denied Davis’ request for a stay of execution. Justice Robert Benham cast the lone dissent.

Davis’ last hope to avoid his 7 p.m. Tuesday execution now appears to rest with the U.S. Supreme Court, where his lawyers have also asked for a stay of execution.

Davis, 39, sits on death row for the Aug. 19, 1989, murder of Officer Mark Allen MacPhail. But since Davis’ 1991 trial, seven key prosecution witnesses have recanted their testimony.

His claims of innocence has drawn international attention, with Pope Benedict XVI and former President Jimmy Carter asking for Davis’ death sentence to be commuted to life in prison without parole.

[ . . . ]

Beginning this morning at 9 a.m., Davis will be allowed to see visitors until 3 p.m., Paul Czachowski, a spokesman for the Department of Corrections, said.

After that, Davis is to be given a routine physical and a last meal. Davis has not requested anything special and is to be served a regular prison meal, Czachowski said. He will then be given the opportunity to record any statement he wishes to give and, an hour before his scheduled execution, will be offered a sedative, the spokesman said.

On Monday, Jason Ewart, one of Davis’ lawyers, said his focus is now on the nation’s highest court. “We’re hoping that somebody will take a hard look at our facts,” he said.

Also, here's a thought-provoking report on A death row visit with Troy Davis by Patrick Dyer, who is a Campaign to End the Death Penalty (CEDP) activist and a teacher at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.  He visited Troy Davis just two days ago, on Sunday.

[ . . . ]

Troy also gave his analysis of why the Parole Board refused to grant clemency. Given that the board, appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, is stacked with "ex"-law enforcement and prosecution types, it's no surprise. "The police and prosecution tactics used in my case are the same ones they used and that are used all over. If they stop my execution because of the police interrogation methods and prosecutor misconduct, it exposes their entire system."

[ . . . ]

P

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

     I'm a member of Amnesty International and have followed this case closely.  I've already sent letters of support for Troy Davis.  All we're asking is for his killing to be put off another week until the US Supreme Court can hear his appeal.  To me it sounds as if there is far more than enough doubt as to his guilt to take this precaution.  Many of the people who first testified as witnesses against him have since recanted, and there is no physical evidence of any guilt.  I simply cannot understand why the Georgia authorities are in such a rush to have him killed - right now - rather than wait until his appeal has been heard by our highest court ..... unless, of course, they are afraid that evidence of his innocence will be uncovered that will make them be seen in a bad light.
     I urge all of you to take the time and make the effort to follow Lynn's advise: check out the references and send immediate messages of support for Troy.  Let's not let another innocent man be put to death without a fair trial.

[Jill]

Thanks-- this time in public -- to Lynn, Peter, and now, to Glenda and all of you out there willing to take just a few minutes out of your lives to care about ensuring that justice be done in this or in any country, whatever justice may end up being, in actuality, in this individual case.

I know relatively little about who is guilty and who is innocent in this particular instance, but what I know that's indisputable is how many people here have been wrongly convicted, executed and then, after it was too late, exonerated when proof surfaced that someone else, in fact, committed the crime.
What I also know that's indisputable is how the overwhelming percentage of defendants who misbegottenly found themselves in the category of Wrongly Convicted/Wrongly Executed/Later Exonerated were people whose skin color was darker than mine and most of yours.

I just wanted to say I respect, admire, and value truly highly, all those who are willing to put their caring and their convictions into action, however small that action may seem.
Jill

Some of you may remember this from our old Mark Agwonah threads:
May Justice Be Done.

[Jane Sladen]

From the little I understand - guilty or not guilty - why execute a person on Tuesday,  when his last chance to respond is Thursday?

We both went to the site and e-mailed.  Every little bit helps, I hope.

Jane Sladen.

[Jan & John]

Thank you for this heads up.  We just can't keep up with all the things happening in our world, but we can certainly jump in and do what we can when friends point us in the right direction and ask for support.  Email has been sent from here.  Hope it's not too late.
jan

[Diane R]

We've emailed also.  No response yet.

with hope,
--Diane.

[s_shewan]

I saw this post on Saturday and got so wrapped up in going to the link provided and doing some research on the 'net' that I forgot to come back and post here. I did check out the info at amnesty and am just horrified that this execution is going forward after all the recantation from witnesses and lack of evidence. I have also emailed but judging from the pigheadedness displayed so far .......  lets hope the US Supreme Court will step in.

Susan

[abc]

I emailed too, but I am pessimistic.

[Eli]

Your post made me realize I was no longer getting my Amnesty International alerts.  So corrected that along with responding to your post today.  I also sent an email out with the information to friends.

Thanks for the heads up.