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APRI & NAACP Condemns the Scheduled Execution of Troy Davis
Take action by Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Dear APRI Leadership:
In just a few days, a man may die because of flaws in the United States Justice System.
Many of you may be aware of the case of Troy Anthony Davis. Davis was convicted in 1991 of killing Savannah, Georgia police officer Mark MacPhail, despite the fact that no physical evidence linked Troy to the crime and the weapon used in the crime was never found. According to reports, the case against him consisted entirely of witness testimonies which were found at the time of trial to contain inconsistencies. Additionally, seven of the nine witnesses who testified against Davis have recanted or contradicted their original testimony. In August 2009, the United States Supreme Court ordered a federal judge in Georgia to grant Davis an evidentiary hearing to prove his innocence. The evidentiary hearing allowed Davis and his legal team the opportunity to present evidence, mainly the testimony of witnesses who had recanted or contradicted their original statements since the original hearing. However, the ruling by the Georgia federal district judge was that Troy Davis did not prove his innocence in the evidentiary hearing.
Troy Anthony Davis is scheduled to be executed on September 21, 2011—less than two weeks away.
Troy Davis’ fate now lies in the hands of the Georgia State Board of Pardon and Parole—a FIVE MEMBER board that will review his final appeal. This hearing has been set for September 19, 2011. The next two weeks are critical in raising awareness on Troy’s case as this may be his last opportunity to be granted the clemency he deserves.
APRI joins the NAACP and other civil and human rights groups in speaking out against the many injustices that continue to plague the death penalty system in our nation.
Here’s what you can do now to help Troy:
1. Send a message of support to Troy as he fights for justice on what may be the final days of his life:
http://action.naacp.org/LettersOfSupport
2. Sign the name wall, if you haven't already. And if you have, send it to your friends and family. Each name means a more united front for justice:
http://action.naacp.org/Name-Wall
3. Make sure everyone knows about this injustice. Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #TooMuchDoubt) so that Troy Davis's story can be heard.
Time is running out for Troy. Please take a moment of your time to act swiftly so that he may have another chance for justice.
Below, for your reference, is the latest press release from the NAACP.
Thank you,
Clayola Brown, President, APRI