Join the Houston branch of the International Socialist Organization in celebrating the stay and demanding the end to the death penalty this saturday - October 25th - at 2pm at the Harambee SHAPE Center at 3903 Almeda. Scroll down below the flyer to read more on the Davis case.
SHUT IT DOWN!!
“The whole world is watching Georgia,” said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA. “Nowhere in the world is there a more serious violation of human rights than what Georgia is about to do to Troy Davis.”
Davis’ case has mobilized unprecedented support for groups opposed to capital punishment, said Sara Totonchi, chair of Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
Thursday’s event in Georgia was organized by Amensty International, which coordinated similar rallies in 14 other American cities and across much of Europe.
The European Union issued a statement Wednesday opposing Davis’ execution, saying there is great risk of miscarriage of justice with irreparable consequences.”
Having already pursued a number of unsuccessful state and federal appeals, Davis’ lawyers on Wednesday asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay his execution.
Despite long odds, some attending the Capitol protest said they believed Davis would be spared.
“We’re going to get justice for Troy Davis,” said Darryl Hunt, wrongfully convicted in North Carolina for rape and murder. He spent 19 years behind bars before DNA evidence exonerated him in 2003.
“No matter what happens, Troy Anthony Davis will get justice,” said his sister, Martina Correia. As they did throughout Thursday’s rally, the crowd responded in unison, “I am Troy Davis".
Davis’ lawyers expressed relief and jubilation over the court’s decision.
“This is the first step toward a court hearing to consider the new evidence — something we have been asking for for almost a decade now,” attorney Jason Ewart said.
Earlier this week, Davis asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for permission to pursue another round of appeals in federal court on claims he is actually innocent. Permission for a new round of appeals is required under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
Today, the court said the stay of execution is conditional. Davis must make a showing he can meet the “stringent requirements” to pursue another round of appeals, the decision said.
The court directed Davis’ lawyers to file a legal brief on their arguments within 15 days. The state Attorney General’s Office has another 10 days to respond.
If you are not familiar with Troy Davis and his case, read on.
The facts of Troy's case cry out for something to be done. He was convicted in 1991 of killing a white police officer. No physical evidence connected Troy to the crime. But nine witnesses took the stand and testified that they either heard Troy say he committed the murder or saw him do it. Their testimony got Troy the death sentence.
But now, seven of these witnesses say they lied when they implicated Troy. Some say they felt pressured by police; others simply say they were young and scared. All seven can explain convincingly why they didn't tell the truth at the trial--and why they are doing so now, even though that means facing possible jail time.
Of the two remaining witnesses who haven't recanted, one is completely unclear about what he saw the night of the murder, and the other was the police's first suspect--that is, he could very well have been the person who did pull the trigger. Several people now say they heard this man, Sylvester Coles, confess to killing the officer.
Troy's lawyers have argued that Troy deserves to have this evidence heard by a jury. But every court has denied him that basic opportunity to show that he is, indeed, innocent.
Since the launch of its February 2007 report, "Where Is the Justice for Me? The Case of Troy Davis, Facing Execution in Georgia," Amnesty International has campaigned intensively for a new evidentiary hearing or trial and clemency for Davis, collecting well over 200,000 clemency petition signatures and letters from across the United States and around the world. To date, internationally known figures such as Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter have all joined the call for clemency, as well as lawmakers from within and outside of Georgia.
The fight though is not over! Troy Davis must be granted a new trial to prove his innocence. Justice matters!
For more information about the Troy Davis case, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org/troydavis.
This was compiled from various sources.
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