I fail to see how this makes whoever doesn't want the truth to come out look any better? How are you so afraid to admit you made a mistake that you're willing to let a man die?
that said, it really does seem like this guy deserves a serious review of the testimony presented in his case and the methods used by prosecutors and law enforcement to get it.
I think it's worth mentioning that the jury that convicted him of being guilty and recommended the death sentence was mostly black. So your pinning it on racism rings hollow.
I don't know anything about this guy's guilt or innocence other than the speculation we can all read online. I tend to think that the jury has a better idea than we do. I also tend to think that the repeated appeals, including to the Supreme Court (nearly unprecedented) have given him as much chance for justice as anyone can get, regardless of color.
All that said: the fact that we're still wasting time arguing about this case is proof to me that the death sentence needs to be taken off the table.
This caused similar international outrage. The governor of Virginia arranged for a polygraph in secret right before his execution, apparently for the governor's piece of mind. He failed! And the governor did not stay the execution.
More advanced DNA techniques developed since the execution have been applied to the evidence and done nothing but further confirm his guilt. Here's more:
He's done almost 20 years, surely he deserves at least a polygraph and if he's guilty then so be it. Just because one man failed, doesn't mean this one will. If there is one iota of innocence, then execution should not be a prerogative.
Your comment is full of flaws. You should work at Georgia's Board of Paroles and Pardons.
He was there when it happened. Blood splatters.
Because he said to give him a second chance in racially charged Georgia, means nothing. Absolutely nothing. He made mistakes in life. Well, so have I. Thankfully, I wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time, *that* time, but any one of us could be - which is why we say, 'We are Troy Davis.'
In addition. Georgia's Board promised they would never execute someone if there is any doubt. Well f**k 'em. They lied.
Haven't they given him chance after chance in court after court to show the original trial flawed? If you read through the history it sure doesn't sound like they're railroading him. I just learned about this today, but the whole call to protect him sure sounds sensationalist.
I mean, if the point is that the death penalty is never warranted, that's a valid discussion. But assuming we allow it (and we do) it doesn't seem like he's been denied a fair trial.
They blocked other eyewitnesses that came forward after the trial from being able to testify in any court, in defense of an appeal.
They did not allow those eyewitnesses to legally recant their testimony because most of them stated that they were strong-armed by authorities to testify what they originally did.
They did not allow the multiple people with signed affidavits to testify about the other person who CONFESSED to the crime (who also happened to ADMIT to having the same gun the night the cop was shot, and conveniently "gave it to someone else that same night", a fact which was never investigated. He was also allowed to testify against Troy Davis, which is a gross miscarriage of justice, if you ask me.)
The ballistics expert that testified said, on the stand, that even though the bullet "could possibly have come from the same gun, I highly doubt it." The tests were inconclusive, and were the only physical evidence.
Heck, as stated in this article, they wouldn't even allow the man a polygraph test, which isn't even PERMISSIBLE in court, just for the peace of mind of his family. I could have sworn there was such a thing as a last request for people put to death. It would not have changed a thing, but would have cast doubt where doubt should have been cast anyway.
If he did it, fine. He died, and rightly so.
But there was so much about this case that DIDN'T connect cleanly, that death was NOT the answer. I've been following this case for some time, and I strongly believe, based upon everything that is available for research, that this event is blasphemous to what our justice system should stand for. There are so many people that have been SOLIDLY proven to have killed, with massive amounts of unassailable physical evidence, that are walking free today due to parole or due to some tangle in their trials.
This is a case of the system desperately needing a scapegoat, and not even allowing anybody to cast any doubt on the conclusion, regardless of the evidence that presented itself. This is an utter s**tstack of what our country should stand for.
anomaly100Sep 21, 2011Buried
No murder weapon. No DNA evidence. Now, no polygraph test will be taken. Obviously, they just *want* to kill him for whatever reason.
scenicanemiaSep 21, 2011Buried
I fail to see how this makes whoever doesn't want the truth to come out look any better? How are you so afraid to admit you made a mistake that you're willing to let a man die?
amyvernonSep 21, 2011Buried
I don't understand this.
cosmicsurferSep 21, 2011Buried
They can't have him assert his innocence - would bring more light to their lack of evidence and their injustice
agmlauncherSep 21, 2011Buried
"for whatever reason"
He's black, what more reason do they need? /s
macparrotSep 22, 2011Buried
Calling for a polygraph is useless other than in the court of public opinion. It is not recognized as being valid for evidence for many good reasons.
whacklySep 22, 2011Buried
the problem there is that a polygraph isn't really any kind of scientifically recognized test of truthfulness.
http://www.skepdic.com/polygrap.html
that said, it really does seem like this guy deserves a serious review of the testimony presented in his case and the methods used by prosecutors and law enforcement to get it.
alanocuSep 21, 2011Buried
Troy Davis should not be executed. When it comes to the sentence of death, there should be no room for doubt. And there is a lot of it.
rotundoSep 22, 2011Buried
I think it's worth mentioning that the jury that convicted him of being guilty and recommended the death sentence was mostly black. So your pinning it on racism rings hollow.
I don't know anything about this guy's guilt or innocence other than the speculation we can all read online. I tend to think that the jury has a better idea than we do. I also tend to think that the repeated appeals, including to the Supreme Court (nearly unprecedented) have given him as much chance for justice as anyone can get, regardless of color.
All that said: the fact that we're still wasting time arguing about this case is proof to me that the death sentence needs to be taken off the table.
moducSep 21, 2011Buried
"Just because one man failed, doesn't mean this one will."
If this one will fails, allow him to fail the test before dying.
TheQueenofOKSep 21, 2011Buried
This is a travesty! There is still #TooMuchDoubt
jqp123Sep 21, 2011Buried
Crazy thought --- what happens if the polygraph only asserts his guilt?
Anyone remember this guy?
http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19920518,00.html
This caused similar international outrage. The governor of Virginia arranged for a polygraph in secret right before his execution, apparently for the governor's piece of mind. He failed! And the governor did not stay the execution.
More advanced DNA techniques developed since the execution have been applied to the evidence and done nothing but further confirm his guilt. Here's more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Keith_Coleman
anomaly100Sep 21, 2011Buried
He's done almost 20 years, surely he deserves at least a polygraph and if he's guilty then so be it. Just because one man failed, doesn't mean this one will. If there is one iota of innocence, then execution should not be a prerogative.
pickleninjaSep 22, 2011Buried
I've taken a polygraph... it's easy to fail off simple stress. I couldn't imagine taking one if my life depended on it.
travelsonicSep 21, 2011Buried
"the use of 'second chance' is as good as an admission of guilt"
*bulls**t meter starts beeping uncontrollably*
*bulls**t meter explodes*
Oh great, you broke my bulls**t meter, now you owe me a new one. >P
anomaly100Sep 21, 2011Buried
Your comment is full of flaws. You should work at Georgia's Board of Paroles and Pardons.
He was there when it happened. Blood splatters.
Because he said to give him a second chance in racially charged Georgia, means nothing. Absolutely nothing. He made mistakes in life. Well, so have I. Thankfully, I wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time, *that* time, but any one of us could be - which is why we say, 'We are Troy Davis.'
In addition. Georgia's Board promised they would never execute someone if there is any doubt. Well f**k 'em. They lied.
rotundoSep 22, 2011Buried
Haven't they given him chance after chance in court after court to show the original trial flawed? If you read through the history it sure doesn't sound like they're railroading him. I just learned about this today, but the whole call to protect him sure sounds sensationalist.
I mean, if the point is that the death penalty is never warranted, that's a valid discussion. But assuming we allow it (and we do) it doesn't seem like he's been denied a fair trial.
touchy610Sep 22, 2011Buried
They denied most of his appeals.
They blocked other eyewitnesses that came forward after the trial from being able to testify in any court, in defense of an appeal.
They did not allow those eyewitnesses to legally recant their testimony because most of them stated that they were strong-armed by authorities to testify what they originally did.
They did not allow the multiple people with signed affidavits to testify about the other person who CONFESSED to the crime (who also happened to ADMIT to having the same gun the night the cop was shot, and conveniently "gave it to someone else that same night", a fact which was never investigated. He was also allowed to testify against Troy Davis, which is a gross miscarriage of justice, if you ask me.)
The ballistics expert that testified said, on the stand, that even though the bullet "could possibly have come from the same gun, I highly doubt it." The tests were inconclusive, and were the only physical evidence.
Heck, as stated in this article, they wouldn't even allow the man a polygraph test, which isn't even PERMISSIBLE in court, just for the peace of mind of his family. I could have sworn there was such a thing as a last request for people put to death. It would not have changed a thing, but would have cast doubt where doubt should have been cast anyway.
If he did it, fine. He died, and rightly so.
But there was so much about this case that DIDN'T connect cleanly, that death was NOT the answer. I've been following this case for some time, and I strongly believe, based upon everything that is available for research, that this event is blasphemous to what our justice system should stand for. There are so many people that have been SOLIDLY proven to have killed, with massive amounts of unassailable physical evidence, that are walking free today due to parole or due to some tangle in their trials.
This is a case of the system desperately needing a scapegoat, and not even allowing anybody to cast any doubt on the conclusion, regardless of the evidence that presented itself. This is an utter s**tstack of what our country should stand for.
stonecircleSep 21, 2011Buried
Apparently, someone has something to hide. Shameful cowards.
osboedSep 21, 2011Buried
This speaks volumes about the mindset of those who, in this instance, have the power of life or death. What a shame that this power is being misused!