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Post by carolinem on Oct 28, 2008 11:30:29 GMT -5
Friends,
I could not be happier to share with you that Troy Davis received a stay of execution - this means that his execution scheduled for Monday night is OFF! The stay is based on a new appeal that was filed Wednesday seeking permission to file a new lawsuit based on innocence claims.
On behalf of GFADP, the board and our members, we offer our sincerest thanks to all the folks at the Georgia Resource Center, especially Tom Dunn, for their work on Troy Davis' case, especially on this week's filing. We are deeply grateful to you for making today's great news possible.
It was just after delivering 140,000 petitions to the Parole Board and a letter to the Governor signed by over 100 Georgia clergy members that we heard the great news. Thanks to the beautiful people who braved the rain and the coldest day in Georgia yet this year to join in funeral procession - complete with a casket the represented the death of justice - for coming out today!
We will keep you posted as the news unfolds.
with hope and solidarity, Sara Totonchi
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Post by carolinem on Oct 28, 2008 11:30:57 GMT -5
Court issues stay of execution for Troy Davis
By BILL RANKIN, RHONDA COOK The Atlanta Journal-Constitutio n
Friday, October 24, 2008
The federal appeals court in Atlanta on Friday stayed the execution of Troy Anthony Davis, who was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection Monday evening.
"Upon our thorough review of the record, we conclude that Davis has met the burden for a stay of execution," the court said in a ruling issued by Judges Joel Dubina, Rosemary Barket and Stanley Marcus. Davis, 40, recently lost an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Davis is on death row for the Aug. 19, 1989, murder of 27-year-old Savannah police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail. Since Davis' trial, seven of nine key prosecution witnesses have recanted their testimony.
The defendant's claims of innocence have drawn opposition to his execution from leaders across the globe, including former President Jimmy Carter and Pope Benedict XVI.
Davis' lawyers expressed relief and jubilation over the court's decision.
"This is the first step toward a court hearing to consider the new evidence - something we have been asking for for almost a decade now," attorney Jason Ewart said.
Neither MacPhail's mother or sister had heard the news when a reporter called. The officer's 75-year-old mother, Anneliese, declined to comment until she had more information.
MacPhail's sister, Kathy McQuary, cried.
Earlier this week, Davis asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for permission to pursue another round of appeals in federal court on claims he is actually innocent. Permission for a new round of appeals is required under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
On Friday, the court said the stay of execution is conditional. Davis must make a showing he can meet the "stringent requirements" to pursue another round of appeals, the decision said.
The court directed Davis' lawyers to file a legal brief on their arguments within 15 days. The state Attorney General's Office has another 10 days to respond
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