Wrongful convictions of black men have become commonplace. But conviction of Troy Davis in Chatham County, Georgia is one of the most egregious and compelling cases in decades. You can help save this man's life.
By: Ben Jealous
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As Father’s Day approaches, we often reflect on the male role models, father figures and patriarchs who are instrumental in our lives. We hold them in high regard because they possess qualities we admire: courage and strength, perseverance and determination, humility and grace.
To DeJuan Correira, his “Uncle Troy” embodies all of these attributes. A mentor to his nephew, Troy Anthony Davis played a prominent role in DeJuan’s development into a superior student while simultaneously providing support to DeJuan’s mother, Martina, Troy’s sister who was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. Davis’ accomplishments as a father figure and family man are astounding given his circumstances; since 1991, Davis has been on death row, wrongly convicted of the murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail.
His case is one of several in the United States where black men are convicted of violent crimes despite faulty testimony, ineffective counsel and reasonable doubt. In Missouri, Reggie Clemons was convicted of the 1991 murder of two young women despite no physical evidence linking him to the crime, and was based on confessions that were coerced, inadequate defense lawyers and a prosecution that was held in contempt of court. Currently sitting on Missouri’s Death Row, Clemons is set to be executed on June 17.
The Troy Davis case is the most compelling case of innocence in decades. No physical evidence links Davis to the crime; no murder weapons were found and 7 out of 9 eyewitnesses recanted or contradicted their original statements. The facts of his innocence are so overwhelming that it has inspired conservative former Congressman Bob Barr and former FBI head William Sessions to speak out. The chorus calling for a new trial includes former President Jimmy Carter and Pope Benedict XVI. Despite irrefutable evidence of his innocence, Chatham County is one of 159 counties in the state of Georgia. The county currently has approximately 250,000 residents, less than 3 percent of Georgia’s state population. Yet this tiny county has produced one-third of Georgia’s exonerations and 40 percent of its death row exonerations, statistics that reveal a questionable history of negligent legal practices. The Troy Davis case is the latest in a series of disturbing instances of Chatham County’s disregard for justice and a proclivity to prosecute and potentially execute in the face of innocence. The new Chatham County District Attorney, Larry Chisolm, who is black, could reopen the case, but so far he has refused to do so.
In a desperate attempt to silence Davis, the Georgia Department of Corrections has prohibited all television access to him. Interview requests from 60 Minutes, Dateline NBC and the Associated Press have been denied, and the prison has threatened to revoke Davis’ phone privileges should any family member allow media to speak to him. These drastic infringements on Davis’ First Amendment rights are a measure of the state’s fear that exposure could reveal the truth about racism and injustice in Chatham County and in the state of Georgia.
While many in his position would be resentful about the unfair circumstances and an unjust system that put them behind bars, Davis exudes benevolence, responsibility and leadership. The effect Davis has had on his nephew is evident—DeJuan achieved top honors in the state’s Social Science Fair for his project entitled “Time for Change: How Does the Troy Anthony Davis Case Affect Georgia?" From the confines of the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison, Davis has mentored and provided an example to young DeJuan by being positive, unwavering and unbroken.
Davis is steadfast in his belief that justice will eventually be served and that he will be absolved.
He has served nearly 18 years of his life on death row for a crime he did not commit; time he will never get back. Nonetheless, the window remains open to act before an irreversible crime is committed. We must put a stop to this injustice before it’s too late.
On June 25, the Supreme Court will hear a last ditch appeal in the case. If Davis’ writ of habeas corpus is denied, within weeks—maybe days—an execution date will be set.
I am urging everyone to take a moment to save an innocent life. Go to IAMTROY.com. where you can send a letter to Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and ask him to commute Troy’s sentence.
Benjamin Todd Jealous is the president and CEO of the NAACP.
From Georgians For Alternatives to the Death Penalty -
Call DA Larry Chisolm! If the Supreme Court chooses not to intervene, the Chatham County District Attorney will have to decide whether to pursue justice, or an execution warrant. Call his office at 912-652-7308 and let them know you would like the DA the re-open Troy's case. If you live in Georgia or Chatham County, tell them you're a concerned resident. But remember, you do NOT need to be a resident to take this action! Please spread this far and wide so the DA's office knows Troy has national support.
Call 912-652-7308 and ask that Troy's case be re-opened!
Posted by: danell | June 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Thanks for mentioning attempts by some media (60 Minutes, Dateline etc) to "speak out" about Mr Davis'Case. I have been seriously wondering for months why requests to the media above, for more publicized info about the case have remained without answer or feedback. More than one allegation being seriously wrong with this case, one would think the proper thing to do would be to inform WE the People!
Food for thoughts...With the high number of supporters and concerned citizen that Troy Davis has united to the cause of Justice and Innocence Matters, I truly wish the main media would come out and "apologize" to the general public for not being able to provide more info due to censorship.
Posted by: Michele Queyroy | June 17, 2009 at 01:22 PM