Execution put on hold for man convicted in cop's murder

[n2doc]

Source: CNN / AP


(CNN) -- The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of execution Friday for a Georgia death row inmate who had been scheduled to die on Monday, his attorney said.

Troy Davis, 39, has always maintained his innocence in the killing of Officer Mark MacPhail.

Troy Davis was convicted in 1991 of the murder of Savannah police Officer Mark MacPhail three years earlier, but has always maintained his innocence.

Witnesses claimed Davis, then 19, and two others were harassing a homeless man in a Burger King parking lot when the off-duty officer arrived to help the man.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/24/troy.davis.stay.execution/index.html

[emlev]

1. Any chance you could combine your thread with the one I just posted?

Since we can't change the headlines and the one at the AJC article is clearer?

[ohio2007]

30. everybody on death row claims to be innocent as does the general prison population

its true.
murder is not really a crime

/sarc

[emlev]

2. Court issues stay of execution for Troy Davis

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

By BILL RANKIN, RHONDA COOK

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday, October 24, 2008

The federal appeals court in Atlanta on Friday stayed the execution of Troy Anthony Davis, who was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection Monday evening.

“Upon our thorough review of the record, we conclude that Davis has met the burden for a stay of execution,” the court said in a ruling issued by Judges Joel Dubina, Rosemary Barkett and Stanley Marcus.

The ruling is only the latest in what has been a roller-coaster ride of appeals for Davis. It marks the third time in 16 months he has won a stay shortly before his scheduled execution.

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2008/10/24/troy_davis_stay.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

---

I am heartened by this news!

[Mabus]

3. It is starting to feel like America again

I'm so happy I'm crying.

K&R

[emlev]

5. You need that cry! We all do.

[Mabus]

7. It just feels like a huge burden has been lifted

My husband will feel better too. He had been asking for updates. Everyday for over a week I'd have to tell him there was no news. He'd ask if I were sure and had I checked any place besides DU. Finally he stopped asking. I can't wait to tell him.

[TerribleLarryDingle]

4. Thank God. N/T

[msanthrope]

6. Come on.....come on.....Troy, we're thinking of you today!!! n/t

[DinahMoeHum]

8. Yes, yes! Curfew shall not ring Monday night.

Now, would the courts in Georgia PLEASE get off their heinies and declare a NEW TRIAL for this man ???



:banghead:

[TomInTib]

9. Although I have no problem with Capital Punishment. this is great news.

I feel so sorry for that guy.

KnR

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

10. If there was EVER a case for habeas corpus this would be it

this case is fucking insanity, it infuriates me to see somebody with such a compelling claim on innocence be stuck on the perpetual brink of execution while what hearings he can get in court are bogged down in jurisdictional minutia.

[Tempest]

11. I heard about Davis' trial and conviction on Pacifica radio yesterday

Corrupt cops and a corrupt prosecutor are the reasons he's behind bars and facing death.

If he was set free, the entire corrupt system would fall apart.

I'm happy to hear the stay was granted.

[lazyriver]

12. I'm very happy to hear this news. Let's hope real justice gets served.

He has to have a new trial given the recanted testimony and other gaping holes in the case against him. If the courts won't take another look at this case before putting him to death, "justice" becomes an increasingly subjective term in this country.

[alarimer]

15. They need to look into the two witnesses who did not recant.

One of them has been accused (by some witnesses who DID recant) of being the actual shooter.

All of this warrants a new trial, I should think.

[lazyriver]

19. If he can't have a new trial, I have little reason to believe

anyone is entitled to one anymore. There are so many holes in the state's case, it seems like a no- brainer, especially where death is at stake.

[WriteDown]

13. Make no mistake about this guy.....

He is a BAD guy. He doesn't deserve death, but he deserves the same treatment that homeless man got. I don't cry too many tears for him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Davis_case

[emlev]

16. I beleive you're mistaken. And NOBODY deserves to be the victim of violence.

[WriteDown]

17. He doesn't deny beating the homeless guy.....

The argument is that he is not the shooter which is very likely.

[emlev]

20. You're completely wrong.

I have interviewed Larry Young, "the homeless guy," who is no longer homeless, BTW. He doesn't think Troy is the one who beat him up.

The Indigo Girls and The Pope Agree: Troy Davis Should Not Be Executed

Wikipedia is not always the best source for facts.

[WriteDown]

22. Doesn't think?

But it was his buddies who did and he stood by? And for a beer? Please fill me in on Mr. Young's side of the story. The whole thing seems fishy.

[emlev]

24. Please read the interview. I'm busy trying to save Democracy. n/t

[WriteDown]

25. Its a good article....

But I am not as quick to exonerate Troy Davis. I do not think he was the shooter, but I think he was definitely hanging out with some unsavory characters and may or may not have been involved in the beating.

[emlev]

28. Thank you...

I hope that if you were really in the position to decide whether or not to exonerate him, you would be given the benefit of hearing all the evidence in the case, a benefit that as of yet neither judge nor jury has had.

And as for hanging out with unsavory characters, I don't know whether or not Troy was doing that. I do know that that's not a crime, and certainly not punishable by death.

Thanks for being open-minded enough to hear me and reconsider. I appreciate it very much.

[Boondog]

21. Where did you get your information?

Are you Kevin McQueen?

“At the trial, Troy Davis denied having shot Michael Cooper at the Cloverdale party,
claiming that the first time he had ever seen Cooper was in the courtroom. He admitted that
he had been at the scene of the shooting outside the Burger King, but claimed that he had
neither assaulted Larry Young nor shot Officer McPhail.”

This has a bit more information than Wikipedia. Also, there's the trial transcript.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/AMR5102307.pdf

[WriteDown]

23. Huh?

Never said anything about Cooper.

[alarimer]

14. Good to hear.

I am listening to Democracy Now from this morning and apparently they did not get the news in time for the broadcast.

[Gregorian]

18. Thanks for everyone who helped out on this.

It's so heartening to see some daylight.

I want to thank the appeals court for being willing to look at this. Phew...

[emlev]

29. You, too.

I hope this time it's the first step to a permanent change in his sentence.

[pberq]

26. Great news! nt

[Pastiche423]

27. Great news!

Now, I want to hear even better news soon.