FREE TROY ANTHONY DAVIS!!!
|
Troy Anthony Davis is sentenced to die. He was accused of killing Savannah police officer, Mark McPhail, in 1991. He was 17. Troy, an African-American, had no weapon, and there was no physical evidence against him - only the testimonies of nine puported witnesses. Seven of the nine have since recanted in sworn affidavits, many alleging police coercion. One witness signed a police statement declaring that Davis was the assailant, then later announced, "I did not read it because I cannot read." Another witness, only 16 at the time, admits he was scared and was threatened that he would be charged as an accessory to the murder. The real killer was also a witness against Davis, and has admitted this crime to others. He has not recanted his testimony, however. |
Although, this new information should absolve Mr. Davis, the Anti-Terrorism Bill signed by President Clinton in 1996, prevents the new evidence from being heard. In more than 12 years of appeals, no court has agreed to hear evidence of police coercion or consider the recanted testimony. On March 17, 2008 the Georgia State Supreme Court denied Troy's appeal for a new trial, leaving the family little to no legal recourse.
The following was excerpted from a piece written by Leonard Pitts, Jr. Pulitzer Prize winner and Miami Herald columnist: |
"You don't know what it's like and neither do I. But we can imagine.
I've always thought it must feel like being buried alive. Lungs starving, lying in blackness, pounding on the coffin lid with dirt showering down, no one hearing your cries.
Or maybe it's like locked-in syndrome, a condition where you lose muscle control - can't move a finger, turn your head, speak. Your body entombs you. You scream within, but no one hears.
Something like that, I think. Something where you're trapped, claustrophobic, unable to believe what is happening, unable to make anyone hear you. That's how it must feel to be an innocent person on death row as execution day draws close."
Read the full piece HERE. |
Visit www.troyanthonydavis.org for more information and to find out how you can help. Certainly Troy is not the only innocent man on Death Row but, wherever possible, we all have to do some small thing to help save human life. Once you know a thing, you become responsible for it.
Support Troy's Campaign by buying
"Innocence Matters" T-Shirts and Buttons. |
 |
____________________________________________________
Sister Helen Prejean:
Checking herself to see what she beileves
Sister Helen Prejean's spiritual work with death-row inmates led to two books, including Dead Man Walking (later turned into a movie starring Susan Sarandon as Prejean, and Sean Penn). A nun since 1957, Prejean dedicated her life and work to helping the poor in New Orleans in 1981. In January, I had the opportunity to hear her her read a short essay as part of an NPR series called This I Believe. Sister Prejean discussed how her beliefs are defined by what she does. So, every now and then she watches what she is doing, to define (or re-define) what she believes. The concept stayed with me as so often people dedicate themselves to a belief which is totally out of sync with their actions (or vice versa). We could all stand to check ourselves periodically to determine clarity on what we really believe.
Click HERE to read or listen to Sister Prejean's essay. |
|
____________________________________________________
|
How is it possible for a citizen of the USA to:
- Serve his complete sentence under law
- Go through the entire parole process having his release recommended at every stage and at each hearing
- Have his release date rescinded four times at, literally, the very last minute
- Have the highest administrative parole body in the nation vote on and fail to overturn his petition for parole
- . . . and still be held in prison for 22 months after this sentence expired? |
These are the questions asked on Veronza.org - the web site for Veronza Bowers, incarcerated former Black Panther who has dutifully served a 31 year sentence for a crime he did not commit (no evidence against him, etc. - not unlike Troy Davis' case - only testimony from paid informants and unheard evidence in Veronza's defense). Botched up trial notwithstanding, Veronza served his sentence and has contributed much to the prison community - including mentoring troubled young inmates, practicing Asian healing arts, and introducing meditation. His sentence ended on June 21, 2005, however, and despite high recommendations for his release, Veronza is still in jail!
Visit Veronza.org to find out more and read glowing testimonies from prison officals. Veronza is my friend on Myspace :-) Click HERE to see Veronza's Myspace page.
<< veronza playing the shakuhachi healing flute |
|
