"The murder weapon was never recovered, no physical evidence was found linking Davis to the crime"

[Avalux]

Yet tomorrow, the state of Georgia will murder Troy Davis. Despite William Sessions speaking out. Despite Jimmy Carter speaking out. Despite the EU issuing a letter urging clemency. Despite so many others urging a change in course.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/15/troy-davis-execution-william-sessions_n_963366.html

All I can do is pray (in my own way) that something happens between now and tomorrow to stop Davis's execution.

[gratuitous]

1. Oh sure, if you're going to let things like reasonable doubt run your justice system

All kinds of things could happen that make a governor look less tough on crime. Can't chance it. Sorry Mr. Davis; you're more important to certain people if you're dead. We'll call it "justice," wave some flags and some people will whoop and holler at your demise, which is a lot more fanfare to attend the inevitable than most people get. If it weren't for the whole death part of it all, you might even feel honored.

[markpkessinger]

2. And 7 out of 9 prosecution witnesses recanting their testimony ...

... and some of them alleging police coercion. Just an absolute travesty.

[tblue]

3. It's tearing me up too....

:(

[Parker CA]

4. Kick and Rec. This is a disgusting situation.

[JackDragna]

5. I just don't see an out for Davis..

..what one of the judges mentioned is true: to retry or overturn a conviction, there's almost always the expectation of evidence that establishes someone convicted of a crime as being innocent. If, for example, DNA from a murder victim is shown to not belong to the person convicted of a crime, that can set them free. In this case, however, there doesn't appear to be much that definitively points towards someone else. It's awful those people lied, and he probably deserves a new trial based on that alone, but I don't see that happening in the "Hang 'em High" land of the free we live in.

[Avalux]

6. There is no physical evidence. 7 out of 9 witnesses have recanted.

That should be enough for a retrial. But you're right...there's the expectation, or the need for bloodlust, to find someone guilty and without another possible person, Davis stays put.

[Gregorian]

7. I just rode a personal Troy Davis bike ride.

21 miles through the redwoods. Thinking about his thoughts. The thoughts and anxieties of his family. About what this will accomplish. How it is uncivilized. And the many years he already spent in jail. It serves to make America a lesser society. It is un-American.

[hlthe2b]

8. The Federal judge that denied a new trial last year... Anyone know more?

Any legal types who might have read the opinion? As unlikely as the Supreme Court having remanded it back for reconsideration based on questions of innocence, this seems very troubling to me that the Federal judge did not find reason for a new trial. Was he (she?) a law and order type RW appointee? What was the supposed reasoning?

I do believe he deserves a new trial, believe the evidence is exceedingly weak, but am puzzled by that...:shrug: