Social Justice Magazine
he killing of Trayvon Martin has brought many people together, but has exposed the various divisions along racial, political and media lines as well. As America awaits the possible arrest of George Zimmerman for killing the 17-year-old black man, the chasm widens. Trayvon's death may not have created these divisions, but rather -- like the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, the O.J.Simpson trial … [Read more...]
As the U.S. observes the eighty-third birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this is a perfect time to reflect on the slain civil rights leader, Nobel laureate and death penalty opponent.Much is known of the Montgomery bus boycott that he led in the 1950s. He fought for economic justice and the plight of the poor, and supported Memphis sanitation workers before he was assassinated. And he … [Read more...]
Recently I attended the 12th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty in Austin, Texas. Participants included death penalty abolitionists, and members of Witness to Innocence -- over two dozen freed death row prisoners who spent years in prison, and once faced certain execution for crimes they did not commit. The day's events included a walk past the governor's mansion, and a rally on the … [Read more...]
Troy Davis was executed in Georgia despite substantial questions about whether he committed the murder that put him on death row. Hank Skinner has just received a stay only two days before his scheduled execution in Texas, which incomprehensibly continues to fight DNA testing of key evidence that could prove Skinner's innocence -- or reaffirm his guilt.Given how unwilling the courts and … [Read more...]
As I have previously written, "evolving standards of decency" is a phrase used in Eighth Amendment jurisprudence to analyze whether a given practice is cruel and unusual. To date the Supreme Court has refused to find that capital punishment offends "the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."Nevertheless, that our "standards of decency" are considered to be … [Read more...]
The execution of Troy Davis by the state of Georgia has outraged many, placing the gruesome and barbaric practice of capital punishment under the microscope.A black man who at the least was apparently innocent - and at most definitely innocent - was executed despite serious questions about his case. Most of all, there was ample evidence that Davis was not the man who killed Mark MacPhail, a … [Read more...]
According to Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, one would have to be an "idiot" to believe the Constitution is a living document. Well, consider me, along with countless numbers of Americans, as one of those dull-witted individuals, who gladly wears Scalia's intended insult as a badge of honor.Scalia is also attributed as saying there is nothing in the Constitution that forbids … [Read more...]
GOP/Tea Party debate crazies across the US have a reason to celebrate. Georgia done killed itself another black criminal as Troy Davis, arguably an innocent man, has been executed. The Georgia Department of Corrections, knowing they were standing on media quicksand by rushing Troy to the death chamber, went to considerable lengths post killing to allow reporters to tell the world how ‘humane’ … [Read more...]
The following message, from Ben Jealous, was sent to members of the NAACP: We've just received terrible news: The state of Georgia has set Troy Davis's execution date for midnight on September 21st, just two weeks from today.This is our justice system at its very worst, and we are alive to witness it. There is just too much doubt.Even though seven out of nine witnesses have recanted their … [Read more...]
Troy Anthony Davis continues to fight for justice. He has been on death row since 1991. During his time there, Davis has received three stays of execution. In August 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Troy Davis the chance to present crucial evidence in court that may prove his innocence.This video which was produced by CNN gives an overview of this case. … [Read more...]
Troy Anthony Davis faces execution for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia, despite a strong claim of innocence. 7 out of 9 witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony, no murder weapon was found and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime.This week the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Troy Davis' bid for a new trial. In a 2-1 vote, the … [Read more...]
by Dr. Alan Bean --The Troy Davis case indicates just how subjective the legal system really is. The federal 11th Court of Appeals deals with cases in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. A panel of three judges, selected from this court, considered the Davis case yesterday. … [Read more...]
Troy Anthony Davis, the Death Penalty and Innocent MenMost Americans have limited contact with the judicial system. For the most part, our contact with the courts usually amounts to an occasional interaction in traffic court or small claims court. Unless you are an attorney, law student, or are in some other way associated with the law, you generally have limited legal knowledge.I have … [Read more...]
The United States Supreme Court won’t consider Troy Davis' appeal. Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed last month in Georgia but the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of execution just two hours before the execution was to occur in order to determine whether it the justices would hear his appeal.This case has received world wide attention because there is no direct physical evidence tying … [Read more...]
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Troy Anthony Davis – Executing the Innocent
Troy Anthony Davis - Executing the InnocentI've posted several pieces on the tragic case of Troy Anthony Davis. I can't let this story go. The more I study the law, the more I'm convinced there are times when the administration of the law can be far removed from questions of guilt or innocence.A New York Times article cited a decision made by Judge Mark Wolf of the Federal District Court … [Read more...]