Troy Davis And Our Unfixable Death Penalty

It has been over four years since Amnesty International released its first report on the case of Troy Davis.  In that span of time, three states – New Jersey, New Mexico and Illinois – have abolished the death penalty, and 17 men have been exonerated from our nation’s death rows after their wrongful convictions were overturned.

Yet Troy Davis, whose innocence claim did finally get heard last summer, remains at serious risk of execution.  He was unable to prove his innocence to the standard required by the court, but the state of Georgia has been unable to remove doubts about his guilt.

It is a fact (and not a surprising one) that our criminal justice system is not perfect, and cannot resolve all questions before it, and it is interesting to note that all three governors who have signed abolition bills since 2007 cited this imperfection as a major reason for eliminating capital punishment altogether.

DECEMBER 2007, Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey:

As Reverend King implored all mankind while accepting his Nobel Peace Prize – “Man must evolve, for all human conflict, a method of resolution which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation.” Today, New Jersey is truly evolving. We evolve, if you believe as I do, that government cannot provide a foolproof death penalty that precludes the possibility of executing the innocent.

MARCH 2009, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico:

Even with advances in DNA and other forensic evidence technologies, we can’t be 100-percent sure that only the truly guilty are convicted of capital crimes. Evidence, including DNA evidence, can be manipulated. Prosecutors can still abuse their powers. We cannot ensure competent defense counsel for all defendants. The sad truth is the wrong person can still be convicted in this day and age, and in cases where that conviction carries with it the ultimate sanction, we must have ultimate confidence – I would say certitude – that the system is without flaw or prejudice. Unfortunately, this is demonstrably not the case.

MARCH 2011, Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois:

The evidence presented to me by former prosecutors and judges with decades of experience in the criminal justice system has convinced me that it is impossible to devise a system that is consistent, that is free of discrimination on the basis of race, geography or economic circumstance, and that always gets it right.

While abolition of the death penalty may not be right around the corner in Georgia (although it should be), these statements about the inevitability of mistakes in our capital punishment system ought to be enough to convince Georgia officials to at least halt executions where there is doubt that the state got it right.

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36 thoughts on “Troy Davis And Our Unfixable Death Penalty

  1. I'm not feeling well at all. There are too many death penalty supporters on your blogs posted on Facebook who claim that the death penalty is "a 100% deterrant", and that "once a killer is executed, he'll never kill again, 100% guaranteed, because he's burning in hell"! Same goes for those who want Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes dead, even though those who want these killers dead "oppose the death penalty"! Everything is stupid! I don't know whether I should go on living, or to kill myself and be done with it. I can't stand so much lies, insults and abuse of these death penalty supporters! Please help me! 😥

  2. Dear, dear Debbie Kearns,

    In my ears your cry is like Christ's own cry in the garden.

    "May this cup not pass from me ?"

    i have a personal confession to make to you.

    Each time you speak, i feel myself comforted.

    Because i know i hear a voice, constant yet always natural, speaking for those suffering.

    i feel here, where you are speaking, i can rest for a moment, after facing "the insults, lies & abuses" you face & live with.

    Your voice is not twisted or sarcastic.

    Not a voice jeering about "guilt" & retribution, & ( heaven have mercy ! ) the "law".

    Your voice is straight & true…. & sweet.

    A voice always offering succor .

    i will always find understanding here, & mercy, & compassion.

    For your love is not only for Christ, but for the thieves who suffer with him.

    You don't wash your hands like Pilate, like society washes her hands after condemning as "guilty" those it conditions to crime…. or those like Troy who are guiltless.

    Speak again, dear friend, on this journey we must all take to Calvary.

  3. Thanks, a.savage. I feel comforted in knowing that you gave me the courage to move on to help families of victims and families of criminals, here in this Lenten season. I can quote in the words of Jesus as he was agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane: "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done." And even Jesus can comfort those who await their execution by saying to them as he said to St. Dismas the Good Thief on the cross, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

  4. Debbie, in the midst of my tears after reading about the loss of Troy's Mother, I am here reading your post. I was raised with Christian, faithful parents, but in the last few years, my faith has all but disappeared, and I, too, was thinking I was just tired of 'fighting'. Letters from Troy give me more hope, faith, all those now ineffective words than I can find around me. I wish I had it. I wish I could say all the uplifting things one is supposed to at times like this. I'm not strong like I used to be. Tomorrow I will write Troy, and I'll express all the attempts at comfort, for his sake. For my sake, I would like to go to sleep tonight, and like Mrs. Davis, just not wake up. I envy the faithful. Wish I could help you, Debbie, but I can only say, I feel you, and that I send a hug.

  5. I’m not feeling well at all. There are too many death penalty supporters on your blogs posted on Facebook who claim that the death penalty is “a 100% deterrant”, and that “once a killer is executed, he’ll never kill again, 100% guaranteed, because he’s burning in hell”! Same goes for those who want Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes dead, even though those who want these killers dead “oppose the death penalty”! Everything is stupid! I don’t know whether I should go on living, or to kill myself and be done with it. I can’t stand so much lies, insults and abuse of these death penalty supporters! Please help me! 😥

  6. Dear, dear Debbie Kearns,

    In my ears your cry is like Christ’s own cry in the garden.

    “May this cup not pass from me ?”

    i have a personal confession to make to you.

    Each time you speak, i feel myself comforted.

    Because i know i hear a voice, constant yet always natural, speaking for those suffering.

    i feel here, where you are speaking, i can rest for a moment, after facing “the insults, lies & abuses” you face & live with.

    Your voice is not twisted or sarcastic.

    Not a voice jeering about “guilt” & retribution, & ( heaven have mercy ! ) the “law”.

    Your voice is straight & true…. & sweet.

    A voice always offering succor .

    i will always find understanding here, & mercy, & compassion.

    For your love is not only for Christ, but for the thieves who suffer with him.

    You don’t wash your hands like Pilate, like society washes her hands after condemning as “guilty” those it conditions to crime…. or those like Troy who are guiltless.

    Speak again, dear friend, on this journey we must all take to Calvary.

  7. Thanks, a.savage. I feel comforted in knowing that you gave me the courage to move on to help families of victims and families of criminals, here in this Lenten season. I can quote in the words of Jesus as he was agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane: “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done.” And even Jesus can comfort those who await their execution by saying to them as he said to St. Dismas the Good Thief on the cross, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

  8. Debbie, in the midst of my tears after reading about the loss of Troy’s Mother, I am here reading your post. I was raised with Christian, faithful parents, but in the last few years, my faith has all but disappeared, and I, too, was thinking I was just tired of ‘fighting’. Letters from Troy give me more hope, faith, all those now ineffective words than I can find around me. I wish I had it. I wish I could say all the uplifting things one is supposed to at times like this. I’m not strong like I used to be. Tomorrow I will write Troy, and I’ll express all the attempts at comfort, for his sake. For my sake, I would like to go to sleep tonight, and like Mrs. Davis, just not wake up. I envy the faithful. Wish I could help you, Debbie, but I can only say, I feel you, and that I send a hug.

  9. Debbie, It was very much by happenstance that I stumbled upon your letter.You are obviously a bright sensitive woman carrying a burden more then you should bare. I am concerned for you.I am not a professional but I have had my own experiences with a world to harsh for me to shoulder as well.There comes a time when you need to put it aside for awhile,find someone to talk to.You have much to offer this world!! Don't hurt yourself over the ugliness of the world,there will be only one Christ and he would not want for you to be so distaught. Trust that he will look after Troy.
    May God Bless You,and take care of you.

  10. Debbie, It was very much by happenstance that I stumbled upon your letter.You are obviously a bright sensitive woman carrying a burden more then you should bare. I am concerned for you.I am not a professional but I have had my own experiences with a world to harsh for me to shoulder as well.There comes a time when you need to put it aside for awhile,find someone to talk to.You have much to offer this world!! Don’t hurt yourself over the ugliness of the world,there will be only one Christ and he would not want for you to be so distaught. Trust that he will look after Troy.
    May God Bless You,and take care of you.

  11. Thanks, Julie and Tim. 🙂 But regarding Troy's mother Virginia's death, I just bet that the MacPhail family is making fun of her post-mortem because they claimed that she "raised her son Troy to be a killer", that "she's burning in hell", and that "her killer/son Troy Davis will join her in hell once he's executed" for killing Mark MacPhail, all the while STILL ignoring evidence and claims of Troy's innocence for many years and continuing to be racist toward Troy's family. My heart breaks for both families. 🙁 BTW, has Troy's sister Martina met OR spoken with the MacPhail family yet?

  12. Thanks, Julie and Tim. 🙂 But regarding Troy’s mother Virginia’s death, I just bet that the MacPhail family is making fun of her post-mortem because they claimed that she “raised her son Troy to be a killer”, that “she’s burning in hell”, and that “her killer/son Troy Davis will join her in hell once he’s executed” for killing Mark MacPhail, all the while STILL ignoring evidence and claims of Troy’s innocence for many years and continuing to be racist toward Troy’s family. My heart breaks for both families. 🙁 BTW, has Troy’s sister Martina met OR spoken with the MacPhail family yet?

  13. Just reading through some change.org and amnesty material on Troy. I have been following Troys and others for quite some time. I am not religious but spiritual and avid supporter of any movement to end the death penalty. I also carry the heavy burden of so much social injustice around the world. When ever I hear someone supporting the death penalty I could scream or cry. Instead I have learned to stay calm and try to convince the person of all that is wrong with their belief. I have also found that most people who favor the death penalty base their belief on either emotion only or a combination of that and the news media. None have ever done any research on the issue. Thank You for being out there and caring as much as I do. Our Day Will Come

  14. Dear, dear Debbie Kearns,

    i hear you !

    i hear the words you recite for me from the Garden & the Hill.

    i know your own high spirit, soaring, singing to all.

    i know you don't ask for a break from your labor.

    You only desire the closer company of purer spirits, singing with you.

    Sometimes the darkness becomes too oppressive all around us.

    Speaking out, you may feel … too often …. no one listened.

    But be assured …. your words will remain among the people.

  15. Just reading through some change.org and amnesty material on Troy. I have been following Troys and others for quite some time. I am not religious but spiritual and avid supporter of any movement to end the death penalty. I also carry the heavy burden of so much social injustice around the world. When ever I hear someone supporting the death penalty I could scream or cry. Instead I have learned to stay calm and try to convince the person of all that is wrong with their belief. I have also found that most people who favor the death penalty base their belief on either emotion only or a combination of that and the news media. None have ever done any research on the issue. Thank You for being out there and caring as much as I do. Our Day Will Come

  16. Dear, dear Debbie Kearns,

    i hear you !

    i hear the words you recite for me from the Garden & the Hill.

    i know your own high spirit, soaring, singing to all.

    i know you don’t ask for a break from your labor.

    You only desire the closer company of purer spirits, singing with you.

    Sometimes the darkness becomes too oppressive all around us.

    Speaking out, you may feel … too often …. no one listened.

    But be assured …. your words will remain among the people.

  17. Dear Debbie,
    It can be hard to hear violent and insensitive comments of some people with differing views on the issues we care deeply about. We encourage anyone struggling with these feelings to connect with resources in your area. Here are a couple: 1-800-SUICIDE ; http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    Debbie, we know you are a regular reader of our blog and want to thank you dearly for your continued support of our work and your activism to end the death penalty. Together we ARE making a difference! Don't ever doubt that.

    Kyra and the rest of the Web team

  18. Dear Debbie,
    It can be hard to hear violent and insensitive comments of some people with differing views on the issues we care deeply about. We encourage anyone struggling with these feelings to connect with resources in your area. Here are a couple: 1-800-SUICIDE ; http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    Debbie, we know you are a regular reader of our blog and want to thank you dearly for your continued support of our work and your activism to end the death penalty. Together we ARE making a difference! Don't ever doubt that.

    Kyra and the rest of the Web team

  19. Dear Debbie,
    It can be hard to hear violent and insensitive comments of some people with differing views on the issues we care deeply about. We encourage anyone struggling with these feelings to connect with resources in your area. Here are a couple: 1-800-SUICIDE ; http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    Debbie, we know you are a regular reader of our blog and want to thank you dearly for your continued support of our work and your activism to end the death penalty. Together we ARE making a difference! Don't ever doubt that.

    Kyra and the rest of the Web team

  20. Thanks, everyone! I feel so much better to know that you still care about me and about the families of murder victims and of criminals, of those on death row, and of those executed. 🙂

  21. Dear Debbie,
    It can be hard to hear violent and insensitive comments of some people with differing views on the issues we care deeply about. We encourage anyone struggling with these feelings to connect with resources in your area. Here are a couple: 1-800-SUICIDE ; http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    Debbie, we know you are a regular reader of our blog and want to thank you dearly for your continued support of our work and your activism to end the death penalty. Together we ARE making a difference! Don’t ever doubt that.

    Kyra and the rest of the Web team

  22. Thanks, everyone! I feel so much better to know that you still care about me and about the families of murder victims and of criminals, of those on death row, and of those executed. 🙂

  23. I have been. Following up on Troy Davis case there is something definitely wrong with the justice system I am praying for his release there is some red flags here it don't take a rocket scientists to. Put the pieces of puzzle together the man is innocent I Am against the death penalty ye that has no sin cast the first stone God has the final word in judgement !!" I am fighting for Troys freedom..

  24. I have been. Following up on Troy Davis case there is something definitely wrong with the justice system I am praying for his release there is some red flags here it don’t take a rocket scientists to. Put the pieces of puzzle together the man is innocent I Am against the death penalty ye that has no sin cast the first stone God has the final word in judgement !!” I am fighting for Troys freedom..

  25. I am not a U.S. citizen,I live in England, I support the death penalty for certain crimes,the abuse and murder of a child,we destroy vermin and rabid dogs,murder in a robbery or hold-up or for financial gain.Retribution is a word that bleeding hearts and wet liberals seem to have never heard of.The horrific murders in Connecticut surely cty out for retribution,death.Murder is a crime unique in it's awful finality and in my estimation the punishment should match the crime
    In England there are vile child killers in prison, they wont serve anything like life, they have a life unlike their victims, take note bleeding hearts.

    ,

  26. I am not a U.S. citizen,I live in England, I support the death penalty for certain crimes,the abuse and murder of a child,we destroy vermin and rabid dogs,murder in a robbery or hold-up or for financial gain.Retribution is a word that bleeding hearts and wet liberals seem to have never heard of.The horrific murders in Connecticut surely cty out for retribution,death.Murder is a crime unique in it’s awful finality and in my estimation the punishment should match the crime
    In England there are vile child killers in prison, they wont serve anything like life, they have a life unlike their victims, take note bleeding hearts.

    ,

  27. Michael, you just never care about innocence or human rights at all, and you speak ill of those who are imprisoned for crimes they may or may not have done, but I know that God will judge you one day based on your behavior and retaliation. Vengeance and so-called "retributive justice" can eat away at your soul, but in the end you'll regret saying hateful and abusive words, and I hope God may forgive you for what you've done.

  28. Thanks. But I have a feeling that all of us are getting insulted and getting too many thumbs down in the blog that has provoked hatred and garbage coming from death penalty supporters who never care about Troy Davis or about his innocence at all!
    http://blog.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/breaking-

    This makes me want to cry again! 😥

  29. Dear
    Debbie my name is Rachel I was also accused of a crime I did not commit I was exonerated in 2008 on a bank robbery I spent 7yrs 2mns I am praying for troy Davis your cry is a loud cry I am against the death penalty its abortion in late terms in life I don't understand how the system will not just let him go my heart truly goes out to all the innocent people in this system I am praying for all those on death row most of all I hope that they get a true understanding about vengeance is mine sayeth the lord god always makes right come out out right!!
    You are doing a awesome job congratulations!

  30. Thanks. But I have a feeling that all of us are getting insulted and getting too many thumbs down in the blog that has provoked hatred and garbage coming from death penalty supporters who never care about Troy Davis or about his innocence at all!
    http://blog.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/breaking-

    This makes me want to cry again! 😥

  31. Thanks. But I have a feeling that all of us are getting insulted and getting too many thumbs down in the blog that has provoked hatred and garbage coming from death penalty supporters who never care about Troy Davis or about his innocence at all!
    http://blog.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/breaking-

    This makes me want to cry again! 😥

  32. Michael, you just never care about innocence or human rights at all, and you speak ill of those who are imprisoned for crimes they may or may not have done, but I know that God will judge you one day based on your behavior and retaliation. Vengeance and so-called “retributive justice” can eat away at your soul, but in the end you’ll regret saying hateful and abusive words, and I hope God may forgive you for what you’ve done.

  33. Dear
    Debbie my name is Rachel I was also accused of a crime I did not commit I was exonerated in 2008 on a bank robbery I spent 7yrs 2mns I am praying for troy Davis your cry is a loud cry I am against the death penalty its abortion in late terms in life I don’t understand how the system will not just let him go my heart truly goes out to all the innocent people in this system I am praying for all those on death row most of all I hope that they get a true understanding about vengeance is mine sayeth the lord god always makes right come out out right!!
    You are doing a awesome job congratulations!

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