Troy Davis sentenced to Die on Wednesday

by Justin Morahan Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:09

Hello Marlene,

I received your letter. However, they took all of my mail, my address
book and the only property I have is my eyeglasses. I'm writing with
the filter of a pen because I'm not allowed the entire pen. With all
these security rules, they only allowed me to write down your address.
I don't remember everything you said in your letter, but I wanted to
thank you, your family and CEDP for everything.

It is time for action, so please encourage everyone to reach out to
politicians, ministers and grassroots organizations to contact the
Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole and the governor to grant me
relief and stop this scheduled execution. Get involved in this
movement to put an end to the death penalty. Come to Georgia and take
a stand for justice. Let them know I'm blessed and my faith in God is
stronger than ever. Now we have a chance to join together and be heard
loud and clear that Georgia needs to stop this execution of an
innocent man and end the death penalty altogether.

Excuse my writing but its hard using the funnel only. God bless you
and keep up the great work you're doing.

Sincerely, Troy Davis

(courtesy of Global Women's Strike (GWS)
http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/ . Women of Color in the GWS,and
Payday men's network http://www.refusingtokill.net

by Justin Morahan Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:51

(from Marlene Martin, New Abolitionist, who wrote on 15 September 2011) :

"THE OTHER day, I called Troy's sister, Martina Correia, hoping to get
a few words with her. Martina has been the heart and soul of the
struggle to save Troy over many years, even while she was suffering
terribly with breast cancer.

When I called, her son answered the phone and explained that she was
too ill to talk -- that she was, in fact, on her way back into the
hospital. I asked him to pass a message of love and support along to
Martina, and assure her we were doing all we could to mobilize people
to defend Troy.

Her son then told me he had the phone on speaker, and I heard Martina
say in a weak voice, "Hello Marlene -- thank you." I burst into tears
hearing her voice. This strong woman is the reason the struggle for
Troy is as big as it is -- because of her tireless work for years on
end, speaking at meetings large and small, and traveling every week to
visit Troy. Her brother has been on death row for 19 years -- do the
math, that's a lot of visits, and death row is hours away from her
home."

Martina was in Dublin two years ago campaigning for a total ban on the death penalty and spoke brilliantly at an Amnesty meeting. Now, another sister of Troy's, Kimberley, has made a powerful and heartfelt plea on behalf of Troy and all prisoners on death row telling of Troy's devotion to her when she contracted multiple schlerosis years ago (see below)

by Justin Morahan Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:05

I have a lifetime’s worth of reasons for wanting to save my brother Troy.

When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 14, Troy left high school, signed up for night classes and started working so that he could take me to physical therapy and help my mother out financially.

It was my brother’s help and reassurance through my long struggle that led me to get out of my wheelchair. He is my hero.

But as you know, the state of Georgia has set an execution date for Troy on September 21st, based on supposed evidence against him that does not exist.

But we believe that with God’s help, we will prevail.

Will you help us to continue to fight to save his life? I need you to reach out to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole one last time. Click on the link to watch at the video message I recorded for the NAACP, and follow the instructions to send your letter:

http://action.naacp.org/KimberlyDavis

Last Thursday, Troy called to tell me he had just heard about the 660,000 petitions delivered to the Board of Pardons and Parole in his name. He was deeply moved. He told me he knew that had supporters around the world, but that he had no idea that the support was that widespread.

My family is so very appreciative of the support from NAACPers like you, but the fight is not over. We cannot let up now.

Twenty years ago, Troy’s conviction was based entirely on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony. In the past two decades, seven of the nine witnesses in his case have recanted their testimony or changed their stories.

There was never a shred of physical evidence or DNA connecting Troy to the crime. No murder weapon has ever been found. In fact, one of the jurors recently stated that if she knew then what she knows now about the case, she would never have sentenced Troy to death.

Fred Klonsky, I know that my love for my brother is not reason enough to take him off death row. It is not reason enough to stay his execution order.

But there is simply no evidence to suggest that Troy committed the crime. That’s why I am asking for help from NAACP members. You have come through for us before, and we need your help now more than ever.

This Monday, September 19th, the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will meet to decide Troy’s fate. It is Troy’s last chance.

Please watch my video message to the NAACP, then tell the Board to stay Troy’s execution order and grant him clemency, because there is simply too much doubt:

http://action.naacp.org/KimberlyDavis

Hundreds of thousands of people have already spoken out in the name of justice for Troy. On behalf of my family, I’m asking you to please add your voice today, and help us save my brother’s life.

Thank you,

Kimberly Davis
(published on Fred Klonsky's blog 18 September 2011) http://preaprez.wordpress.com/2011/09/18/a-plea-from-ki...avis/

by Contrarian Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:34

There was never a shred of physical evidence or DNA connecting Troy Davis to the crime.

Well now, Justin, that's one way of putting it. Don't you think that a fuller picture of the facts would include pointing out that the prosecution wanted to introduce forensic DNA evidence from a bloodstained item of Troy Davis's clothing which was recovered during a search of a dryer in his mother's house. But this was disallowed because the search was deemed to be illegal on a technicality. (His mother's consent to the search was invalid as it had not been "freely and voluntarily given".)

By all means, oppose the death penalty on principle if you wish to do so. There are many good reasons for doing this. But if you're soliciting support on the grounds of Troy Davis's supposed innocence, you really should present a more balanced version of the facts.

You could also discuss his previous conviction for guncrime, the other shooting that took place that night as well as the credibility issues and criminal records of the witnesses who "recanted."

by Serf Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:52

Here's a more "balanced" version of events than contrarians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Davis_case

It's surprising that contrarian even understands the meaning of the word "balance" given past posting history here!!

by Justin Morahan Tue Sep 20, 2011 22:52

Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles .have turned down Troy's last appeal.

An innocent man goes to his death at midnight 21 September

Only 24 hours left now

Please Contact this Amnesty International link to make a last ditch appeal to stop this cruel injustice.

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/Acti...16533

by Justin Morahan Wed Sep 21, 2011 18:19

You can still e-mail the members of the Georgia Pardons Board to ask them to reverse their decision and allow Troy to stay alive:

webnmaster@pap.state.ga.us

You can also phone the District Attorney at: 001 912 652 7308

by Justin Morahan Wed Sep 21, 2011 18:46

US Senator for Georgia Vincent Fort (Democrat) has urged prison staff not to work today and to disobey orders. to execute Troy Davis
In a statement he said:

"I say to the prison staff: If you work on that day, you will enable the prison to carry out the execution of a possibly innocent man."

Fort’s statement reminded prison staff that orders can always be disobeyed and he urged them to do so. "Troy Davis' execution cannot take place unless human beings at the Georgia Diagnostic & Classifications Prison make it happen. They can refuse to kill Troy Davis," he said.

(acknowledgement to Global Women's Strike)

by Serf Thu Sep 22, 2011 06:10

Troy was executed. No last minute reprieve.

The US justice system cannot be trusted with the power to execute people.
Nor can their privatised for profit prison system be trusted not to corrupt that justice system even further.

by W. Finnerty Thu Sep 22, 2011 08:40

Article 5:
"No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Part of the UDHR Preamble:

"Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction."

Related link: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a5

by Anon Thu Sep 22, 2011 21:56

Troy Davis RIP