Word: Travesty of death

On Dec. 9, a three-judge panel heard the most recent federal appeal of death row inmate Troy Davis, who — according to newly discovered evidence — might have been wrongfully convicted in 1991 of killing a Savannah police officer. Four days later, Brian Nichols — who was convicted last month of killing a judge, a court reporter, a deputy, and a federal agent — was spared the death penalty by a Fulton County jury.

“Our justice system should punish the guilty, free the innocent and have the wisdom to know the difference. I hope the 11th Circuit Court will give Davis his day in court.”

— Former FBI Director William Sessions, in an AJC op-ed.

“It’s … possible the real guilty person who shot Officer MacPhail is not being prosecuted.”

— Federal judge Rosemary Barkett, one of the three judges hearing Davis’ appeal, quoted in the AJC.

“He will do it again, and he will do it again, and again, and again, until somebody stops him, until someone puts an end to it, and that someone is you.”

— Fulton prosecutor Clint Rucker, in his three-and-a-half hour closing argument in the death penalty phase of Brian Nichols’ trial.

“I have talked to two jurors and they both say that some people showed up for jury duty with their minds already made up and never entered into a meaningful discussion of a death sentence. That means we don’t get a fair trial.”

— Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard, quoted in the AJC.

(Photo courtesy Georgia Department of Corrections.)