Troy Davis denied clemency
September 12, 2008 at 5:18 pm by Andisheh Nouraee in NewsThe Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole denied clemency to Troy Anthony Davis late this afternoon.
Davis was sentenced to death in 1991 for the murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. He is scheduled to be executed Sept. 23.
Jared Feuer, Southern regional director of Amnesty International USA, says he did not expect the board’s ruling.
“They have set a standard, in writing, that they would not set an execution date if there was any doubt [about a person's guilt],” Feuer says. “I don’t know how anyone could have walked out of [the Board of Pardons and Parole hearing] this morning without doubts about Davis’ guilt.”
Seven of nine key witnesses for the prosecution have recanted their testimony since Davis was condemned. There is no physical or DNA evidence linking Davis to the murder.
The state appeals process for Davis is now finished. Davis’ only opportunity for clemency is at the federal level.
The full U.S. Supreme Court cannot hear Davis’ case because the court is in recess until six days after his scheduled execution date.
Justice Clarence Thomas, however, is authorized to hear Davis’ case and stay his execution.
Additionally, President Bush can stop the execution.
We’ll have more information this weekend as we get it.
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