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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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8

Ga. Death Row Inmate Wins New Hearing

Supreme Court gives convicted cop killer a stay of execution

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(AP) – The Supreme Court says condemned inmate Troy Davis should get another chance to prove his innocence before the state of Georgia executes him. The high court today ordered a federal judge in Georgia to determine whether there is evidence that proves Davis did not kill a police officer in 1991. Davis was condemned to death for that murder, but supporters have argued for a new trial after several witnesses took back their testimony.

Davis' supporters include former President Jimmy Carter and Pope Benedict XVI. Justice John Paul Stevens said that the risk of putting an innocent man to death "provides adequate justification" for an evidentiary hearing. Defense lawyers had appealed to the Supreme Court after a federal court denied a new trial request in April.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., speaks with the media after visiting with death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis, Friday, May 29, 2009 in Jackson, Ga.
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., speaks with the media after visiting with death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis, Friday, May 29, 2009 in Jackson, Ga.   (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Benjamin Todd Jealous President of the NAACP, left, and actress Lisa Raye wear their 'IAMTROY.COM' shirts to show solidarity in support of Troy Davis a prisoner on death row.
Benjamin Todd Jealous President of the NAACP, left, and actress Lisa Raye wear their 'IAMTROY.COM' shirts to show solidarity in support of Troy Davis a prisoner on death row.   (AP Photo/Earl Gibson III)
This undated file photo released by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Troy Davis.
This undated file photo released by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Troy Davis.   (AP Photo/Georgia Department of Corrections)
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8 comments
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Citrixguy
Aug 17, 09 1:49 PM CDT
If he is innocence, then I hope he is successful, If he is successful, how does the state compensate someone for 20 years of their life? Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Aug 17, 09 2:26 PM CDT
I recall seeing settlements ranging from $1M/yr to $1k/day - but if he ever wrongly confessed, he'll be lucky to get shit
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Citrixguy
Aug 17, 09 2:37 PM CDT
@mad - maybe, it might come down to how the confession was gotten. If it was under duress, it it must be overlooked.
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+2
MackTheHack
Aug 17, 09 5:15 PM CDT
Did anyone else get a free Troy advertisement? Reply
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+1
PaleRider
Aug 17, 09 6:02 PM CDT
He confessed to shooting a teenage boy in the face at a pool party the day before this shooting and has never denied that he did that. The ballistic imprint of the shell casing in both shooting were identical. That means that Davis shot the cop, or someone used his gun to do it. Reply
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+2

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ANALYSIS

Death Penalty Extremely Rare in Military

Hasan could become first to be executed
by military since 1961

Nov 12, 09 5:49 AM CST
(AP) - Nidal Hasan could face the death penalty for the Fort Hood shootings, but he will be prosecuted in a military justice system where no one has been executed in nearly 50 years. He may also benefit from protections the military provides defendants that are greater than those offered in civilian... More »

MORE ABOUT:
death penalty • execution • US military • US Army • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan

Supreme Court Won't Spare Beltway Sniper

Execution set for tomorrow as request for more time fails

Nov 9, 09 3:47 PM CST
(Newser) - The Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal from John Allen Muhammad, also known as the Beltway sniper, clearing the way for his execution tomorrow. Muhammad’s lawyers said he needed more time to prepare his appeals. Although justices Stevens, Ginsburg, and Sotomayor questioned Virginia law for not affording convicts... More »

MORE ABOUT:
death penalty • Ruth Bader Ginsburg • execution • John Paul Stevens • US Supreme Court • sniper • John Allen Muhammad • Lee Boyd Malvo • Sonia Sotomayor • Beltway Sniper

 Lone AP Reporter 
 Logs 300 Executions 

Writer has seen more deaths than...anyone, perhaps

Oct 21, 09 10:22 AM CDT
(Newser) - The fever pitch of executions in Texas since the 1980s has made the taking of a life at Huntsville’s prison almost de rigueur. Newsrooms that used to send a reporter every time an inmate was put to death now rely on the AP—and one AP writer in particular:... More »

MORE ABOUT:
death penalty • newspaper • Texas • execution • reporter • Associated Press • witness

90 Stories

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death penalty • execution • death row • cop killer • John Paul Stevens • US Supreme Court • Troy Davis

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