Rare Decision Could Result in New Trial
In a long-awaited decision on the
case of Georgia death row inmate Anthony Davis the U.S. Supreme Court has ordered a Federal Judge to “receive testimony and make findings of fact as to whether evidence that could not have been obtained at trial clearly establishes petitioner’s innocence.” Troy has always maintained his innocence and this case has become a rallying point for death penalty opponents around the world.
In the original trial, witnesses said that then 19 year old Davis shot and killed off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail. However, since his 1991 conviction, seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted and there remains no physical evidence linking Davis to the crime.
Many figures including the Pope, former President Jimmy Carter and former Archbishop Desmond Tutu have asked Georgia to grant Davis a new trial. Other supporters include celebrities Susan Sarandon, Harry Belafonte and the Indigo Girls as well as conservative political leader Bob Barr.
NADP will be hosting an event during National Teach-In Week for Troy Davis (September 21-27). Stay tuned for more details!
For more information on the Troy Davis case and to hear from his family link to this Democracy Now video.
The photo is from the NAACP’s IAMTROY.com campaign.