What is your opinion on the execution of Troy Davis?

There are a lot of strong opinions out there and with the clock ticking down I figured I'd throw this out to find the general consensus of SE.

Here are a few links to catch you up:

http://www.politicususa.com/en/troy-davis-soul-of-the-south
http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/tell-president-obama-take-action-save-troy-davis.html
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/20/report-death-row-inmate-davis-denied-clemency/

Also, if you haven't already, please follow the PSL's example and write an email to Obama asking him to spare Troy's life. Here is the website they give:

https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Adv ... ion&id=335

Every letter helps and if you don't write a message yourself, please get that site out there so somebody else has the ability to do so.

We really need to do our part to try to prevent this.

Can't say I was aware of this case until recently, and most of the stuff that I have read are of the perspective that he is innocent. I am not against the death penalty (though I am not for it either except for special circumstances, and I certainly am against the way death sentences are dished out so liberally in places like Texas). I can't say for sure re: innocence or guilt, but it definitely looks like there was a lot of sketchiness with the trial, and for something as severe as a crime that would warrant capital punishment, if there is even a shred of reasonable doubt that about guilt, then neither should he be convicted of it, nor should there be an execution even if he were convicted at the trial stage if it is revealed in the appeals process that there were so many irregularities at the trial with the evidence and wtinesses. To do so is wrong and an affront to the justice system—and of course, the US justice system is pretty fragged up in many ways, but I am speaking of the justice system and what it's supposed to be as an ideal in general terms.

I am not against the death penalty either, but I agree that if there is even a modicum of doubt about someone being potentially innocent, there needs to be an extension of time until they are able to prove that they are 100% guilty.

I have strong opinions regarding capital punishment and am generally for it in the majority of cases. In fact, it makes me a bit disappointed that Illinois has enacted a moratorium regarding capital punishment. Oh well, I guess.

I don't know if he's innocent or guilty.

In theory, in order to be convicted in as a criminal you need evidence beyond reasonable doubt. 7 out of 9 witnesses changed their story, including two who confessed to the murder. No DNA or murder weapon for the trial.

Basically comes down to legal lynching in my opinion.. after jailing a man for a few decades.

I'll essentially parrot Red Rebel's views here. I wasn't a witness to these events, but the fact that so many of them have changed their story is very suspicious, to say the least. Also, I sent the email to the President and Attorney General.

Well, it's in. The supreme court denied him his stay.. depressing.

I can't believe that he's set to die in a few minutes and Fox has given this topic less than 30 seconds on air. I bet if he was innocent and white this would be their top story at least for the next hour or two. I'm hoping some sort of debate or discussion will follow his execution, not looking hopeful..

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If he was innocent and white, he would never have gone to jail.

That's a solid point, I really hesitate to pull the race card but seeing the media really driving home the fact that not only was this a WHITE man with a FAMILY but he was also a COP. Like that makes this crime any more evil or important. He wasn't even in uniform when he was killed.

This kind of thing did not start with him, nor will it end with him. I only hope that next time there will be something we can do about it.

What really gets me is that Davis' father was apparently a cop himself. I also hate to play the race card, especially as a white man myself, but bloody hell, even having a cop in your own family doesn't win brownie points? That just makes me think Davis' blackness outweighs every other factor, including the fact that 7 of 9 witnesses have recanted their original testimony. What else could it be?

Omg!! the email was erroneous that said they're moving forward with the execution. The supreme court is still deliberating, Fox admitted they put the wrong report up. This is awesome, there's still hope

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Great news. My mood has just significantly improved.

I was honestly really depressed about this, even though the stay isn't granted yet it still makes me have a little more faith in this country. Hopefully we'll know more soon. The man has some major players on his side. I mean, really, the pope? And Jimmy Carter?

Indigo wrote:

Come on. Do something right for once, Roberts Court...

I think you will find yourself disappointed.
The stay has been denied, and what I am hearing is that he was executed at 11:08PM EST.

It's over.

Son of a bitch.... Good thing I'm already drunk. At least he won't have to see the bullshit that comes about because of this. For a few extra hours before he died it's fortunate he at least knew that a massive number of people were in solidarity with him. I hope he made his peace and realized the huge precedent he's set. It's really unfortunate this had to happen but I hope it will have a positive impression on future cases and defendants...

I'm not sure about his guilt, point is that the court that sentenced him to death wasn't sure at all about it either. There simply wasn't enough evidence to prove his guilt, and as such there was no justification for his execution. Even if he was guilty, it's not like a cop killer is a completely "lost cause" that would forever be a threat to society. Therefore even in case of guilt, death penalty is no justified punishment for it, in my view.