On the NCADP site (National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty), to which I belong as a member, they released the bad news for Troy Davis. It's not only bad news for his, but it's bad news for all of us.
Troy Anthony Davis is currently on death row in Georgia and his execution was scheduled for September 23rd, 2008. Two hours before he was to be killed he received stay from the U.S. Supreme Court pending its decision as to whether it will hear his appeal. On October 14, 2008, the Court denied his request for relief so that his evidence of innocence could be heard in a legal proceeding. Troy Davis' execution may be scheduled at any point and carried out within weeks.
We discussed this case a few weeks ago, here, when the Stay of Execution was granted in practically the last minute.
The same questions persist: if there is any doubt that the sentence is just, shouldn't the government do everything within its power to correct that? With so many witnesses recanting their testimony, doesn't this sound like a case that merits deeper scrutiny?
Also, what benefit is there in carrying out a death penalty anyway? Does it not diminish our cultural and societal advancement? Neanderthals perhaps needed such measures 30,000 years ago, but I really don't think we do. Today the only understandable reason for capital punishment is revenge, and I don't consider that acceptable.
Here's the New York Times report.
The case has led to an outpouring of support for Mr. Davis, largely because seven of nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony, with two claiming that the police had pressured them to testify against him. Prosecutors presented no physical evidence and no murder weapon, and three witnesses have said another man admitted to the murder.
My opinion is that the death penalty is wrong. But, even for proponents of capital punishment, I would expect the supreme consideration to be the avoidance of a wrongful execution. This could be one of them.
What's your opinion?
He's spent his entire adult life in prison on death row. His life is over anyway you slice it, whether or not he is executed.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, he and a couple buddies were beating up a homeless man to steal his beers. He should be hung for that.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the trial transcripts this is what happened on the night of the murder:
Troy Anthony Davis, Sylvester Coles, and Darrell Collins got into an altercation with a homeless man, Larry Young, in the early hours of August 19, 1989. Young had purchased several cans of beer at a convenience store, and as he exited, Coles demanded a can of beer. Young refused. The trio split apart and surrounded Young, and then began beating him.
Regular Boy Scout...
I had an epiphany!
ReplyDeleteLet's extend the death penalty to people that beat up homeless alcoholics to steal their beers. That's pretty low, even as far as criminal behavior goes. Dude is sleeping on the streets, manages to panhandle enough for a couple cans of malt liquor and you and your buds are gonna STEAL IT FROM HIM?!?!?!?!?!?
Then it doesn't matter which of the scumbags actually shot the Policeman.
Wow Tom. I guess old people who get cancer should give it up, since their lives are pretty much over anyway you slice it. And when you make a stupid decision or mistake as a teenager, you don't qualify for any human or civil rights either. Super. You're ready to be a judge in Georgia.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if I grew some balls I'd put my name on what I say as well...???
ReplyDeleteBy the way, when did three on one beating the sh*t out of a homeless man to steal his beers become a "a stupid decision or mistake as a teenager" when you were 19 when you did it? Old enough to serve in the military commanding a tank, drive, vote, and legally purchase firearms, I might add.
ReplyDeleteAdds to the weer'd theory that people that shouldn't have firearms legally usually disqualify themselves out of the gate...pistol whipping a homeless man to steal his beers isn't a normal "I got drunk and crashed mom's car" teenage f*ckup. You don't just wake up one day and do something like that on a lark and then get involved in brawling with a UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER working security next door when he tries to break up the fight.
Doesn't matter which of the three pulled the trigger on the cop. Tall trees and short ropes for the lot.
If you believe in God, maybe he will forgive them. I won't. I'm not God so I don't have to.
Dear Anonymous, I don't agree with too much of what Tom says, and the comment about "growing balls" is no exception. I do agree with Tom's saying that it's pretty low to steal beer from a homeless panhandler, but I would categorize that as a stupid teenage mistake, no problem.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel welcome enough to come back. I've often said it takes a thick hide and a quick wit to comment on this blog, but not because of me.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteit's pretty low to steal beer from a homeless panhandler, but I would categorize that as a stupid teenage mistake, no problem.
Giving the bad guys the benefit of the best intentions again?
It's not just stealing beer from the homeless, it's how they stole the beer. Did they grab the beers and run off? That might be a teenage mistake.
So, what did they do?
The trio split apart and surrounded Young, and then began beating him.
They beat him...that requires intention...each and every time a blow strikes. That isn't a youthful mistake.
Here is a case of a guy who could have been just like you, do you feel kinship to him as you've asked us gunnies so often?
NEW YORK -- Prosecutors say a homeless man told them he killed a New York City college student because he was bored.
Prosecutors filed a signed statement in court in which Jeromie (jehr-uh-MEE') Cancel (kan-SEL') admits killing 19-year-old Kevin Pravia last month. But Cancel pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder at his arraignment Wednesday.
Police have said Cancel went to Pravia's Manhattan apartment after Pravia approached him looking for drugs.
The statement says Cancel was leaving but had nowhere to go. It says, "I was bored, so I decided to go back into the apartment and kill him."
Cancel's statement says he killed Pravia by stuffing a plastic bag in his mouth while holding his nose and choking him with a cord around his neck. The 22-year-old is being held without bail.
Note not a firearms was used in this murder, does that mean we need to put registration, one cord a month, background checks, fingerprinting laws in place for cords?
Or is it about the culture that excuses behavior because of their situations? Does this murderer does any treatment programs because he is homeless? Possibly a drug addict....or should we accept that people do horrible things with full capacity to understand how horrible they are?