Troy Davis - Case Background
Most recent update:
BREAKING NEWS: On August 17, the US Supreme Court issued an order mandating a new evidentiary hearing for Troy Davis. With its ruling, the nation's highest court decided that Davis should have another chance to prove his innocence before the state of Georgia puts him to death.
You can read the Supreme Court's order here and the dissent here.
Background:
Restrictions on Federal appeals have prevented Troy Anthony Davis from having a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him, despite the fact that most of the witnesses have since recanted, many alleging they were pressured or coerced by police. Troy Davis remains on Georgia death row, and may be scheduled for execution in the near future.
Troy Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail at a Burger King in Savannah, Georgia; a murder he maintains he did not commit. There was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime was never found. The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state's non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.
One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester "Red" Coles – the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.
| Download a fact sheet on Davis' case
| Read more about innocence on Georgia's death row
| Read the European Parliament Resolution on Troy's Case
Recent Timeline:
- August 17, 2009 - U.S. Supreme Court orders the federal District Court for the Southern District of Georgia to hold an evidentiary hearing.
- April 16, 2009 - 11th Circuit denies Davis’ petition, issues 30-day stay so that Davis can file last appeal with U.S. Supreme Court.
- Dec. 9, 2008 – 11th Circuit held oral arguments in Atlanta on Davis' petition.
- Oct. 24, 2008 – 11th Circuit Court grants stay of execution to consider new appeal.
- Oct. 23, 2008 – Amnesty International activists take part in a Global Day of Action in 30 cities around the globe.
- Oct. 15, 2008 – Execution warrant is issued to commence on Oct. 27, which is the date the Department of Corrections sets for the execution.
- Oct. 14, 2008 – U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Davis' appeal, effectively ending the appeals process.
- Sept. 23, 2008 – U.S. Supreme Court issues a stay of execution pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari filed on Davis' behalf.
- Sept. 18, 2008 – Atlanta march to Ebeneezer Baptist Church.
- Sept. 12, 2008 – Georgia State Board of Pardon and Paroles denied clemency for Davis (execution scheduled for Sept. 23)
- Sept. 11, 2008 – Activists from Amnesty and the NAACP take part in the Justice Matters rally for Troy Davis in Atlanta (slideshow above).
- March 17, 2008 – Georgia Supreme Court denied Davis' appeal for a new trial.
- August 4, 2007 – Testimonies of injustice event in Savannah, GA.
- August 3, 2007 – Georgia Supreme Court agreed to hear Davis' appeal for a new trial.
- July 16, 2007 – Georgia State Board of Pardon and Paroles issued a stay of execution (scheduled for July 17, 2007) for up to 90 days.
- July 12, 2007 – Amnesty International and Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty hold a rally in support of Troy Davis.
