So, we do have death panels after all. I always thought that was some stuff Sarah Palin made up, but was later refudiated*. But, we do have death panels. In Georgia we have the Board of Pardons and Parole. I will pause the commentary and give the news, then get back to kicking the truth in the nuts.
Generally, I stick to boring legal topics associated with me being an Atlanta attorney, but the news got me riled up and I have a blog, so…
Reddingnewsreview.com and the Atlanta Journal Constitution have just reported that Georgia’s own Reps. John Lewis (GA-05) and Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) sent a letter that was signed by more than 50 other members of Congress to the Georgia State Board of Pardons & Paroles, urging a stay of execution for death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis and clemency in the form of a life sentence. That means the guy still gets a life sentence (sorry, that was commentary…wait for it).
The trial and the soon death of Troy Davis has sparked widespread outrage. Amnesty International has weighed in. Former President and Georgia hero Jimmy Carter has also weighed in on behalf of Mr. Davis. So has Desmond Tutu. Did I mention the Pope? The freaking Pope thinks this is murder.
“I Don’t Stop Injustice” Murray
FACTS OF THE DEATH PENALTY CASE
Since the trial, everything has fallen apart. Witnesses have recanted and the strongest witness is now being fingered by some as the actual killer, not Troy Davis.
“Red once told me that he shot a police officer and that a guy named Davis took the fall for it,” said Anthony Hargrove, a friend of Coles. “He told me this about a year or so after the officer was killed.”
No physical evidence from the crime was retrieved, apart from the bullets and shell casings, which were determined to have come from a .38-caliber pistol. The gun was never found, and neither was any DNA evidence linking either Davis or Cole to the crime.
One witness who has not recanted their testimony is Sylvester “Red” Coles, who was the alternative lead suspect in the case. Witnesses alleged Coles was boasting about killing a police officer the night of the crime. Nine witnesses have signed sworn affidavits alleging Cole is the murderer.
Since then, the seven witnesses who recanted their testimony have signed sworn affidavits stating they were either pressured by police to sign statements or testify against Davis.
TEA PARTY
For those in the tea party, you guys must be totally ticked off. You are right. Who gave the government the right kill anybody? Plus, when you look at the ineffective bureaucrats who have let this case get this far is just a huge waste of government resources. How much money did the state of Georgia pay to get a potentially innocent man to death? What is the condition of your local high school (I meant to say firehouse or police station)?
REPUBLICANS
For those Republicans, you must outraged. Look at the waste of money! Look at the bureaucrats junking up the system. This is a death panel.
DEMOCRATS
I do not expect anything from you Democrats except to hide under your bed’s out of fear of being called “soft on crime”. You are just soft.
We all have crappy jobs at times. Many people can just say that they are doing their job and leave the moral and ethical implications without a thought. Just being a solider in the fight does not absolve you from scrutiny.
To the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, I ask you if this was not your job would you inject the human being with poison? Do you think you will not be called to answer for this at a later time? Do you think saying that you were doing your job will make things alright?
Think about that. This is a real man with serious questions surrounding his conviction by legal experts much smarter than you with much more insight. You are a bureaucrat about to kill a man. How sure are you that this right? There is no return from this decision, and you can not nor should not ever motion that you were just doing your job.
If this is your position, you can quit. Just give your letter of resignation and walk away. Everyone will criticize you either way, but this way you do not have the blood of Troy Davis on your hands.
Did I just piss you off? Good. Call me out in the comments if you want.
