Troy Davis. Amnesty. Please.
I heard about this case through a blog by my sister. I am hoping that me writing this will do for others out there what hers did for me - raise awareness, set me on the path to taking whatever little action that I can, and passing this on so others can do the same.
This is one of those stories that's acted as a reminder, in my happy go trippy life, that this kind of thing is going on still - blatant miscarriages of justice, in a guise of justice so poorly portrayed, it feels surreal that it's even possible. Just today, through a river-boat captain's commentary, i found out what the punishment for pirates used to be on the thames - and i was just struck by how barbaric humans can be to other humans, and call it 'justice'.
The rest of the blog after this paragraph will be copied, verbatim, from Amnesty USA's site. It has the relevant facts, and links to follow to do something. Even if all you do is post a link to the Amnesty page, that is something awesome. Please do pass this on. If you can, take an action. It's one of those situations where someone's life really could depend on it. Thanks.
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.
Breaking News: An execution date for Troy Davis is scheduled for September 21! In the days before Davis' execution, the Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles will hold a final clemency hearing – a final chance to prevent Troy Davis from being executed.
Read More
This is one of those stories that's acted as a reminder, in my happy go trippy life, that this kind of thing is going on still - blatant miscarriages of justice, in a guise of justice so poorly portrayed, it feels surreal that it's even possible. Just today, through a river-boat captain's commentary, i found out what the punishment for pirates used to be on the thames - and i was just struck by how barbaric humans can be to other humans, and call it 'justice'.
The rest of the blog after this paragraph will be copied, verbatim, from Amnesty USA's site. It has the relevant facts, and links to follow to do something. Even if all you do is post a link to the Amnesty page, that is something awesome. Please do pass this on. If you can, take an action. It's one of those situations where someone's life really could depend on it. Thanks.
Too Much Doubt
Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. Nearly two decades later, Davis remains on death row — even though the case against him has fallen apart.
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.
Breaking News: An execution date for Troy Davis is scheduled for September 21! In the days before Davis' execution, the Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles will hold a final clemency hearing – a final chance to prevent Troy Davis from being executed.
Read More
He has been slated to die so many times - it's beyond cruel and unusual.
ReplyDeleteAll the words to describe it just feel too weak, too banal. Now we can just do the little we can do, and hope.
ReplyDelete