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Hello. Come on in. The daddy writes about current events, literature, music and, once in a while, drops something on you from back in the day to make you pause and ponder, stop and stare, and begin to wonder. Who knows? You may start to pace the floor, shake your head from side to side, then fall down on bended knees in a praying position and cry, "Lawd, have mercy! What is this world coming to?" Check yourself! But this blog is NOT about the daddy. It's about you: your boos, your fam, your hood, your country...our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. So let's make a pact: the daddy will put it on the track if you'll chase it down and hit him back. Together, we can definitely take it to another level. Shall we?"

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Troy Davis' Execution Postponed!

"As one whose husband and mother-in-law have both died the victims of murder assassination, I stand firmly and unequivocally opposed to the death penalty for those convicted of capital offenses. An evil deed is not redeemed by an evil deed of retaliation. Justice is never advanced in the taking of a human life. Morality is never upheld by legalized murder."
-- Coretta Scott King
"When I’m finally released from this Death Camp, my path will remain Righteous as I help bring an END to the DEATH PENALTY."
--Troy Davis

Tonight, the daddy is very happy! Troy Davis, who was slated to electrocuted by lethal injection at 7 p.m. tonight, has received a reprieve. It was given by the Supreme Court less than two hours ago. The daddy is going to get him a drink and a slice of peach pie. Troy Davis: This one's for you.

Ga. cop killer gets last-minute execution reprieve

ATLANTA (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court gave a reprieve to a Georgia inmate less than two hours before he was to be executed Tuesday for the 1989 slaying of an off-duty police officer.

Supporters of 39-year-old Troy Davis have called for a new trial as seven of the nine witnesses who helped put him on death row recanted their testimony. Protesters had arrived by the busload to protest the execution, carrying signs with slogans like "Justice for Troy Davis" and wearing blue T-shirts emblazoned with "I am Troy Davis." A crowd of about 50 erupted in cheers when the stay, granted around 5:20 p.m., was announced.

The Rev. Al Sharpton had accompanied members of Davis' family to the protest, including Davis' mother, Virginia.

Prosecutors have labeled the witness statements "suspect," and courts had previously refused requests for a new trial.

The execution had been scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.

The stay will remain in effect while the court considers Davis' appeal. Davis wants the high court to order a judge to hear from the witnesses who recanted their testimony and others who say another man confessed to the crime.

Influential advocates, including former President Jimmy Carter and South Africa Archbishop Desmond Tutu, insist that there's enough doubt about his guilt to merit a new trial.

A divided Georgia Supreme Court has twice rejected his request for a new trial, and had rejected his appeal to delay the execution Monday afternoon. The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles also turned down his bid for clemency.

Davis was convicted of the murder of 27-year-old officer Mark MacPhail, who was working off-duty as a security guard at a bus station.

MacPhail had rushed to help a homeless man who had been pistol-whipped at a nearby parking lot, and was shot twice when he approached Davis and two other men.

Witnesses identified Davis as the shooter, and at the 1991 trial, prosecutors said he wore a "smirk on his face" as he fired the gun.

But Davis' lawyers say new evidence proves their client was a victim of mistaken identity. Besides those who have recanted their testimony, three others who did not testify have said Sylvester "Red" Coles — who testified against Davis at his trial — confessed to the killing.

Coles refused to talk about the case when contacted by The Associated Press during a 2007 Chatham County court appearance and has no listed phone number.

Prosecutors have contended in court hearings the case is closed. They also say some of the witness affidavits simply repeat what a trial jury has already heard, while others are irrelevant because they come from witnesses who never testified.

10 comments:

rainywalker said...

Its a good thing that Troy Davis's life didn't rely on that three pages, 700 billion that can't be reviewed by any court in the land.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the up-to-date news and background on efforts and decisions related to Troy Davis' pending execution. Now we can only hope that the Supreme Court takes the next right step when it reviews his case. It feels good to know that so many people around the world were (are) looking at what has happened to Troy Davis. My sadness comes from knowing that this is not the first or last time this has happened.

Prison Action Network said...

I had to find some people who cared as much as I do about this case. So thanks, DaddyBstrong for providing the spot. I realized only a few minutes ago that the murder had probably taken place. I screwed up my courage to find out, and could hardly believe my eyes when I read the news. I had no faith that the Supreme Court would do the right thing. But they did. Maybe prayer really does work! When the prayers are righteous... So let's keep on doing whatever we've been doing and pray that Troy Davis will get a second chance. For now, REJOICE!!

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

rainywalker: Yes, Bush, through Paulson, is still trying rape the treasury and not be jailed for it. But since neither Bush or Paulson have much credibility, both are catching hell on the hill, much of it from Republicans.
patti: Thanks. And you're right: the attempt at legally lynching a black man has happened before and will happen again. And we'll have to fight it all over again. But for now, I'm happy.
justice: Thanks for coming. Yes, we need to be passionate about this. In fact, I was surprised that this story wasn't talked about enough. I mean, the Pope and Desmond TuTu spoke up for the brother. They protested in Germany and France. So black people should have given this more attention here. But the word is getting out. Jack & Jill, an influential blogging site, talked about it. And Rachel Maddow, host of the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC, talked about it as well. So the news is getting out in this country. Let's keep fighting and praying for Troy Davis.

Prison Action Network said...

Democracy Now! has been covering it. More people should listen/watch that program.

SagaciousHillbilly said...

Whew.
Thanks for the update Mac.
Enjoy the pie! I love peach pie.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

"Democracy Now! has been covering it. More people should listen/watch that program."
PAN: You're right. I'm going to tune into that show tomorrow to see if they have more info. Come again.

LISA VAZQUEZ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LISA VAZQUEZ said...

Hey there!!

Thank you for staying on top of this important case!

I am not in favor of the death penalty, even though my mother was brutally murdered when I was a child.

Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Lisa: I'm sorry about what happened to your mother. I'm sure it must have been very difficult for you and your family. And, yes, I will stick with this case. I think it's a classic. It's a case where race and class converge. I will do my best to update and provide a black perspective for reader's consideration. Keep up the good work over at Blackwomenblowthetrumpet!