NAACP Presents Petitions Asking for New Trial for Troy Davis

2009-07-01 / Social & Community News

Helen Johnson (standing at podium), presents petitions signed by Chatham County residents to Lydia Sermons, Public Information Officer in the District Attorney’s Office. Helen Johnson (standing at podium), presents petitions signed by Chatham County residents to Lydia Sermons, Public Information Officer in the District Attorney’s Office. A multiracial group of faith and civic community leaders delivered over 10,000 signatures from Chatham County residents to Chatham County District Attorney Larry Chisolm's office on Monday, calling on the DA to take action to prevent the execution of Troy Davis and re-open his trial.

As more people in the community raise their voices for a new trial, the Associated Press reported Sunday that at least 4 of the 12 jurors in Davis' original trial have said in interviews or affidavits that they are having doubts about the justness of the death sentence.

In 2007, four of the jurors signed affidavits describing their doubts about the Davis trial. These affidavits were presented at Davis' clemency hearing before the Georgia Pardons and Paroles board in 2007 from jurors Brenda Forrest, Curtis Wilson, Cynthia Quarterman and Isaiah Middleton.

Troy Davis has been on death row for nearly 18 years, after being charged with the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail.

Davis was convicted even though no physical evidence linked him to Officer MacPhail's death, and seven of the nine witnesses recanted or contradicted their original testimony; several of those witnesses say they were coerced.

Prominent politicians and faith leaders, including President Jimmy Carter, Pope Benedict XVI, Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Presidential candidate Bob Barr and former FBI Director and Judge William S. Sessions have all called for Davis to be given a new trial or evidentiary hearing.

A website launched by theNAACP, www.IAMTROY.com, allows people to get involved.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization.

Return to top