Link to original post: [drupal=1701]An innocent man is about to be executed[/drupal]
Some of you may have heard about this, some of you may not have. Regardless, its something we all should know about, as Troy Davis will be executed within a month.
Nealy Twenty years ago, in August 1991, Troy was convicted of shooting off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail. The only evidence police had against him was witness testimony. Let me repeat, there was no camera footage, and the murder weapon was never found. Since then, 7 out of the 9 witnesses have retracted their testimony. Most accused the police of coercion, one stating that he was threatened to be charged as an accessory to murder if he did not help the police's case. One was not even literate, so he could not read the paper the police asked him to sign. One of the two which decided to keep his testimony is the prime suspect after Davis; he had caused a disturbance at the Burger King prior to the shooting (apparently, he was harassing a homeless person, possibly pistol-whipping him?), and even admitted carrying a weapon of the same caliber that shot MacPhail that night. The other has openly admitted that he could only identify the shooter by the clothes he was wearing. This case is currently before the supreme court, where they will decide if Davis deserves a re-trial; if they do not rule in his favor, Davis will die very, very soon.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Write to the Georgia Board of Clemency. They are the only ones who can commute the death sentence, and give him life in prison instead. Letters to the governor are nice, but be aware that he can only exert political pressure on the board, for Georgia is one the only three states in the union where he does not have the power to intervene. Finally, contacting the supreme court, and letting them know your opinion on the matter, would be greatly appreciated.
You will not be the first to speak out against Georgia. You would be joining world leaders such as former President Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pope Benedict XVI, in addition to former and current U.S. lawmakers like Bob Barr, Carolyn Moseley Braun and John Lewis.
It does not take much effort to write an e-mail; please, do what you can to save Troy Davis' life.
We cannot let an innocent man die.
Please, join Troy Davis' cause!
Still haven't found an address for the Clemency Board.
You can write to Gov. Perdue at this website: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=12168
Unfortunately, the Supreme Court does not have an e-mail address over the internet for citizens to contribute their opinions to, but if you feel like it, you can reach them by mail at this address:
Justice (or Chief Justice) (Justice's Full Name)
Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
Some of you may have heard about this, some of you may not have. Regardless, its something we all should know about, as Troy Davis will be executed within a month.
Nealy Twenty years ago, in August 1991, Troy was convicted of shooting off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail. The only evidence police had against him was witness testimony. Let me repeat, there was no camera footage, and the murder weapon was never found. Since then, 7 out of the 9 witnesses have retracted their testimony. Most accused the police of coercion, one stating that he was threatened to be charged as an accessory to murder if he did not help the police's case. One was not even literate, so he could not read the paper the police asked him to sign. One of the two which decided to keep his testimony is the prime suspect after Davis; he had caused a disturbance at the Burger King prior to the shooting (apparently, he was harassing a homeless person, possibly pistol-whipping him?), and even admitted carrying a weapon of the same caliber that shot MacPhail that night. The other has openly admitted that he could only identify the shooter by the clothes he was wearing. This case is currently before the supreme court, where they will decide if Davis deserves a re-trial; if they do not rule in his favor, Davis will die very, very soon.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Write to the Georgia Board of Clemency. They are the only ones who can commute the death sentence, and give him life in prison instead. Letters to the governor are nice, but be aware that he can only exert political pressure on the board, for Georgia is one the only three states in the union where he does not have the power to intervene. Finally, contacting the supreme court, and letting them know your opinion on the matter, would be greatly appreciated.
You will not be the first to speak out against Georgia. You would be joining world leaders such as former President Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pope Benedict XVI, in addition to former and current U.S. lawmakers like Bob Barr, Carolyn Moseley Braun and John Lewis.
It does not take much effort to write an e-mail; please, do what you can to save Troy Davis' life.
We cannot let an innocent man die.
Please, join Troy Davis' cause!
Still haven't found an address for the Clemency Board.
You can write to Gov. Perdue at this website: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=12168
Unfortunately, the Supreme Court does not have an e-mail address over the internet for citizens to contribute their opinions to, but if you feel like it, you can reach them by mail at this address:
Justice (or Chief Justice) (Justice's Full Name)
Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
