Word: ‘Justice demands no less of us’
The U.S. Supreme Court says longtime death row inmate Troy Davis deserves another chance to present evidence in his 1989 conviction
On Aug. 17, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that condemned death row inmate Troy Davis deserves a chance to present new evidence in his case. Attorneys have long argued that DAvis didn’t kill Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989 and that key witnesses have recanted testimony.
“The substantial risk of putting an innocent man to death, clearly provides an adequate justification for holding an evidentiary hearing.”
— U.S. Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority on Aug. 17.
“We should be prepared to go to the moon and back in order to avoid executing an innocent man. Every stone must be turned, every possibility fully explored, every alternative narrative put to rest to the extent possible. Justice demands no less of us.”
— An Aug. 19 Augusta Chronicle editorial.
“He should have been dead two years ago...Every delay is awful for us every time. I’m not saying Davis’ family isn’t suffering either. But Davis had a choice. Mark didn’t...I want it to be over.”
— Anneliese MacPhail, mother of the murdered police officer, in the Aug. 19 New York Times.