Protesters will gather in Atlanta, Georgia this morning (September 19) to halt the execution of Troy Davis, scheduled for this Wednesday (September 21).
Davis’ representatives will be presenting their case for clemency at 9:00 AM this morning at a hearing in front of Georgia’s Board of Pardons and Paroles, reports the Ledger-Enquirer.
Davis was convicted 20 years ago and sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of Georgia police officer Mark MacPhail.
However, hundreds of thousands have signed petitions urging the board to spare Davis due to the controversial nature of the case. Former President Jimmy Carter and Pope Benedict XVI are among those who have asked that Davis get a new trial.
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“The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial,” says Amnesty International’s website. “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.”
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of the case is the fact that one of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony, Sylvester “Red” Coles, is the principle alternative suspect. Amnesty International reports the nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Coles in the crime.
To sign Amnesty International’s petition to stop the September 21 execution of Troy Davis, please click here.
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More on this story as it develops. Below, watch Jasiri X’s “I Am Troy Davis (T.R.O.Y.),” a track dedicated to raising awareness about this issue.
UPDATE: The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Troy Davis’ bid for clemency.
“It is with a very heavy heart and a deep sense of outrage that I let you know that the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles voted to deny clemency to Troy Davis,” said a letter sent from Amnesty International.
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“This means that very little is standing in the way of the state of Georgia executing a potentially innocent man this Wednesday, September 21 st at 7pm.”
“The actions of the Board are astounding in the face of so much doubt in the case against Troy Davis. However, we are not prepared to accept the decision and let anyone with the power to stop the execution off the hook.”
Amnesty asks that Troy Davis supporters call Chatham County’s District Attorney’s office by either telephone: (912)-652-7308 or Fax: (912) 652-7328.
“We’ll be organizing a Day of Protest today to express our outrage at the recent decision to deny Troy Davis clemency,” added Amnesty. “And on Wednesday (Sept. 21), we’re calling for a Day of Vigil on Troy’s impending execution date. If you are able to organize locally for either of these events, please tell us about your plans.”
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UPDATE #2: Killer Mike has spoken to HipHopDX.com about the issue, and has revealed plans to join protesters tomorrow (September 21) to challenge the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles’ decision.
“I am going to [Savannah, Georgia tonight] to join the protest tomorrow. the state of Georgia is killing a man who is possibly innocent and that’s a tragedy,” said Mike.
HipHopDX has also learned that the Georgia Parole board is currently taking phone calls at (404) 656-5651, and counting the number of individuals calling in support of Troy Davis. To reach the proper department, dial 5 in the first touch tone menu.
UPDATE #3: The Supreme Court of the United States has asked for an hour-long delay of Troy Davis’ execution while they confer. The news broke on Democracy Now’s live stream, which can be accessed here: http://www.livestream.com/democracynow
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UPDATE #4: The time of Troy Anthony Davis’ death was 11:08 PM today (September 21).
After deliberating, the Supreme Court denied Troy Davis’ motion for a stay of execution.
The announcement, which was not accompanied by any explanation, came at approximately 10:20 PM, over three hours after Davis’ originally scheduled execution.
First-hand accounts of the execution indicated the following:
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Troy Davis told the family of the victim, Mark MacPhail, that despite the situation they are in, “I am not the one who did it, I was not the one personally responsible.” He then apologized for their loss, and restated that he did not take their son, father, and brother, and told them to dig deeper into the case to find out the truth.
Davis told his family to keep praying, keep working, and to keep the faith.
To the prison guards there to administer the execution, Davis told them, “May God have mercy on your souls. May God bless your souls.”
