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Troy Davis Dies Proclaiming Innocence

He loses his final appeal

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 21, 2011 6:13 PM CDT | Updated Sep 22, 2011 3:21 AM CDT

(Newser) Troy Davis was put to death by lethal injection last night after the US Supreme Court refused to stop his execution in Georgia. Davis' attorneys made the last-ditch plea after all other options were exhausted. Davis, who was convicted of killing off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989 but protested his innocence until the end, was pronounced dead at 11:08pm, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The case received international attention, with everyone from Jimmy Carter to the pope to Amnesty International calling for his sentence to be commuted.

"I want to talk to the MacPhail family. I was not responsible for what happened that night. I did not have a gun. I was not the one who took the life of your father, son, brother," Davis said while he was strapped to a gurney in the death chamber. "All I can ask ... is that you look deeper into this case so that you really can finally see the truth." MacPhail's widow said there was "nothing to rejoice," but that it was "a time for healing for all families," the AP reports. "I will grieve for the Davis family because now they're going to understand our pain and our hurt," she said.

Demonstrators gather in Lafayette Park in front of the White House Wednesday.
Demonstrators gather in Lafayette Park in front of the White House Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
This undated file photo provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows Troy Davis.
This undated file photo provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows Troy Davis.   (AP Photo/Georgia Department of Corrections, File)
Police in riot gear wait and watch a group of anti-death-penalty protesters in Jackson, Ga.
Police in riot gear wait and watch a group of anti-death-penalty protesters in Jackson, Ga.   (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
This 1991 file photo shows Troy Anthony Davis entering Chatham County Superior Court in Savannah, Ga.
This 1991 file photo shows Troy Anthony Davis entering Chatham County Superior Court in Savannah, Ga.   (AP Photo/The Savannah Morning News, File)
Anti-death-penalty protesters listen to news about the delay of the execution.
Anti-death-penalty protesters listen to news about the delay of the execution.   (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Student protesters from Howard University wait outside the White House.
Student protesters from Howard University wait outside the White House.   (Getty Images)
University of Georgia student Hayley Landis, center, holds a laptop as others wait for news at the entrance to the University of Georgia.
University of Georgia student Hayley Landis, center, holds a laptop as others wait for news at the entrance to the University of Georgia.   (AP Photo/Athens Banner-Herald, David Manning)
A crowd of protesters sits on the ground at the Georgia State Capitol.
A crowd of protesters sits on the ground at the Georgia State Capitol.   (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Curtis Compton)
Police officers keep an eye on hundreds of protesters gathered at the Georgia State Capitol.
Police officers keep an eye on hundreds of protesters gathered at the Georgia State Capitol.   (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Curtis Compton)
Protesters chant Let Troy Go in Jackson, Ga., Wednesday.
Protesters chant "Let Troy Go" in Jackson, Ga., Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Protesters chant Let Troy Go in Jackson, Ga., Wednesday.
Protesters chant "Let Troy Go" in Jackson, Ga., Wednesday.   (AP/Photo Stephen Morton)
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at the Towaligia County Line Baptist Church in Jackson, Ga., Wednesday.
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at the Towaligia County Line Baptist Church in Jackson, Ga., Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 212 comments
SamirSaad
Sep 24, 2011 1:03 PM CDT
Epic...PHAIL! Would be comic if wasn't tragic.
Swen.Ardere
Sep 23, 2011 3:24 AM CDT
We kill people for killing people...to prove that killing people is wrong. Senseless.
fractal
Sep 22, 2011 4:30 PM CDT
The victims families won't get peace from this execution.  Always, in the back of their minds, there will be doubt.  It will eat at them as they wonder, "what if...."
 

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