URGE CLEMENCY FOR TROY DAVIS

Troy Davis was charged with killing Mark MacPhail, an off-duty police officer, in Savannah, Ga., in 1989. Davis had gone to the aid of a homeless man who was being pistol-whipped in a parking lot. Seeing the gun, he said he fled. MacPhail, working security nearby, intervened next, and was killed. Davis, an African-American, claimed his innocence, but was found guilty and sentenced to death. Since his conviction, seven of the nine non-police witnesses have recanted their testimony, alleging police coercion and intimidation in obtaining their testimony. By coming forward and recanting, they face serious repercussions, possibly jail time. Some have identified a different man as the shooter. This man is one of Davis’ remaining accusers.

In July 2007, Davis faced his first execution date. Just a day before he was to be executed, the Georgia Pardons Board granted a stay of execution for up to 90 days. Then, Davis’ attorneys argued before the Georgia Supreme Court for a retrial or for a hearing to present new evidence. The requests were denied, by a 4-to-3 vote. In the same period, the U.S. Supreme Court was weighing whether death by lethal injection constituted cruel and unusual punishment (the court ultimately allowed its use).

Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed on September 23rd, but the US Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of execution. The US Supreme Court has now declined to hear his appeal. but serious doubts about his guilt remain and compelling evidence of his innocence will now never be heard in court.

If you believe, like I do, that the Death Penalty is immoral and inhumane, OR, if you think that there are serious doubts over Davis' guilt, then PLEASE ACT NOW!!

Take urgent action to urge clemency for Troy Davis at Amnesty USA