The Case for Troy Davis and Against Gov. Rick Perry
On Aug. 18, 1989, Mark MacPhail, a young police officer, was shot to death in a parking lot in Savannah, Ga. Soon afterward Troy Davis (above) was convicted of the killing. Although a majority of testifying witnesses have recanted their statements, a U.S. district court has ordered Davis to be executed Sept. 21. (more)
On Aug. 18, 1989, Mark MacPhail, a young police officer, was shot to death in a parking lot in Savannah, Ga. Soon afterward Troy Davis (right) was convicted of the killing. Although a majority of testifying witnesses have recanted their statements, a U.S. district court has ordered Davis to be executed Sept. 21.
Davis has evaded execution before. Though little time remains, the public demand for clemency and a re-examination of the evidence that led to his conviction is mounting. Worldwide demonstrations are scheduled for Friday. See a list of events coordinated by Amnesty International here.
Another controversy over capital punishment involves Texas’ Rick Perry, the GOP presidential candidate who has presided over more executions than any other governor in modern U.S. history. He is undisturbed by evidence that suggests some of those prisoners were innocent.
See the case for clemency and for Gov. Perry’s misconduct below. –ARK
Katie Halper:
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