URGENT Adventist Believer condemned to die

[Taylor]

I just sent in my letter too. Thanks Aldona for this info.

[aldona]

Okay. I hope I can be forgiven. I sent off the letter. Hope it helps since I put my private info on the line ...

(sorry it's taken me a while to reply, haven't had much time to use the computer in the past couple of days...)

Don't feel bad... I know it's a normal thing to be concerned about in this day and age.

But just my own experience - I have been a member of Amnesty since my student days, have written letters personally addressed to leaders of all sorts of nations including Afghanistan, Russia, China, Burma, and even (shock, horror) the United States - always with my real name and (home) address as contact details. Both by snail mail and email.

At first my husband and other family members were horrified, but as time has gone by, they have relaxed. I have not been flooded by spam, have never had any adverse communication of any kind or had anything happen to frighten or intimidate me in any way. (And my computer virus protection and home security is just what you would expect in any normal household, nothing fancy.)

I honestly believe that if we put ourselves "on the line" to help others, God will see to it that we will be protected. Talking to others in my Amnesty group, I could not find anyone who has had their personal or professional life adversely affected, or been victimised or harrassed, or over-spammed, due to getting involved in these kinds of campaigns.

Welcome to the activist life - you will not be disappointed.

aldona

[Amelia]

I have been an animal activist for years and have always voiced my opinion via sites like the one for davis. I have never been spammed by any of the websites. In fact, I tend to get more snail mail spam from groups that I donate money too. LOL

[Woody]

Thanks Aldona.

I did receive a return reply from the Representative for Georgia's 11th Congressional District. He said:

Quote:

"I will take your opinions under advisement as I consider legislation for the 110th Congress."

By then ... he will not have to worry about the issue for our friend would be dead. I guess that is his way of saying NO.

[Taylor]

From CNN online news:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/24/troy.davis.stay.execution/index.html

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 25-day stay of Friday for a Georgia row inmate who had been scheduled to die on Monday.

Troy Davis was convicted in 1991 of the of Savannah police Officer Mark MacPhail three years earlier, but has always maintained his innocence.

Witnesses claimed Davis, then 19, and two others were harassing a homeless man in a Burger King parking lot when the off-duty officer arrived to help the man.

Witnesses testified at trial that Davis then shot MacPhail twice and fled.

Since Davis' 1991 conviction, seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony. No physical evidence was presented linking Davis to the .

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Davis.

Amnesty International issued a statement saying it is "heartened to learn of today's stay of from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Until this point, the compelling issues in this case have been virtually ignored, leaving Georgia vulnerable to the possibility of an man. The court must be commended for serving as the failsafe for justice."

[carolaa]

Happy news as the U.S. begins the Sabbath!!

Here is the link for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution article:

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/10/24/troy_davis_stay.html

[phkrause]

Amen!

pk

[Lauralea]

In the Journal and Constitution article Carolaa quotes,

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/10/24/troy_davis_stay.html

it says the appeals court also wants them to address the question,if he is innocent, but the evidence could have been discovered before by his attorneys, can he still be executed. Even though this may not harm Mr. Davis, because they could not probably have obtained the evidence before, this is very significant because of the The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. Evidently is is harder to get a new trial due to new evidence than it used to be, and some day this could be of issue to those wrongly convicted in other trials, maybe other SDA's. So we need to pray, only for him, but for the fairness of the law for others in this country.

[aldona]

Quote:

Davis’ claims of innocence, based largely on the recantations of prosecution witnesses, have attracted international attention and protest.

Quote:

When the 11th Circuit issued its stay, Davis’ supporters were holding a mock funeral at the state Capitol. Demonstrators carried a coffin and a petition with 140,000 signatures to the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. Davis’ supporters also delivered a letter signed by more than 100 members of Georgia’s clergy to the Governor’s office.

Correia talked to Davis after the court issued its stay. “To all the people around the world working hard and fighting for him, he wants to say thank you and this fight has to continue,” she said.

Praise God!

Keep up the prayers and the "international attention and protest", folks!

I'm certainly going to keep following events as closely as I can. Those of you who are closer to the action - please keep us updated if you find out any new information.

aldona

[tracer]

Terry is currently in Savannah, GA and is continuing work on the film. I am including the film proposal and synopsis of Troy's story for your perusal.

Currently NO financial support has been pledged for this huge undertaking although efforts are underway. Terry feels so strongly about this project due to the implications for all free people that he's moving ahead without financial backing but your help is needed now!!!

If you have further questions feel free to call me at 580-768-0181 as Terry is not able to take calls while he's on location. I will be happy to forward emails and messages. Thanks for your prayers, understanding and financial support.

Alvin Trace

altrace@gmail.com

580-768-0181

The Death of Reasonable Doubt

How Easily Can an Innocent Man Lose His Life?

Ask Troy Davis, who came within a harrowing 23 hours of execution by lethal injection last year, came within

two hours of execution on September 23, 2008 and now awaits a new execution date:

“Anyone could be in my shoes.”

For 17 years, Troy has waited on Georgia’s death row for a proper review of his case. He has been consistently denied

this right, even though overwhelming evidence of his innocence casts more than a reasonable doubt on his guilt.

The Case for Innocence:

Davis was convicted and sent to death row in 1991 for the shooting of a white off-duty police officer, Mark MacPhail, in

Savannah, Georgia, but serious questions about his guilt quickly surfaced:

➡ No physical evidence tied Troy to the murder.

➡ His conviction was based solely on inconsistent witness testimony.

➡ There is strong evidence of witness coercion by police.

➡ 7 of 9 witnesses recanted or since changed their stories – to support Troy’s innocence.

➡ Nine people, including several initial witnesses, implicate the key eyewitness as the actual killer.

In a narrow 4-3 denial of a new hearing for Davis, Chief Justice Sears of the Georgia Supreme Court wrote in the dissenting opinion, “...it simply defies all logic and morality...”. As a result of the overwhelming facts substantiating reasonable doubt in Troy’s case, pleas for fairness have come from many social justice proponents including: Amnesty International, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Desmond Tutu, and the Pope. Troy has one last chance of a final appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Attack on Reasonable Doubt:

From its very roots, the U.S. Criminal Court System has maintained the reasonable doubt principle as the highest

standard of proof, a necessary validation of the presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty. This vital

cornerstone is due to an outcome that can be extreme: the jury wields the power to preserve or take life.

Since 1972, 129 people on death row in the United States have been exonerated, narrowly escaping execution as

truth of their innocence finally came forth. On Georgia’s death row, 2 of 5 inmates exonerated were from the same

county that prosecuted Troy Davis. 80% of Georgia’s death sentences were reversed due to serious error. In

such a system, how much collateral damage is acceptable? If it could happen to Troy Davis, it could happen to

anyone.

The Documentary Film and Outreach Campaign:

In this film, the audience examines the case of Troy Davis – whose claim of wrongful conviction should at the very least

have the chance to prove his right to freedom. They will witness the testimony of those deeply involved in the proceed-

ings--including parole board members having the authority to set him free--and see how the controversial Antiterrorism

and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 is a major obstacle for Troy and others who hope to be exonerated. Davis’s case shows a clear deficiency in the system and the film will reveal how easy it is for an innocent man to lose his freedom - even his life. Moreover, this story documents the faith and spirit of an inspiring man and his family as they remain undaunted in the battle for his freedom and for the freedom of others.

The Purpose of the Film:

Striking photography and poignant storytelling will inspire and educate the global community to:

➡ Urgent action and accountability on the issue of reasonable doubt.

➡ Challenge the government’s power to take life by examining Troy’s strong case for innocence

➡ Challenge the appropriateness of the 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act

➡ Affect the outcome of Troy’s case by sparking public awareness and a call to action

Produced through the Shae Foundation, a 501©3 humanitarian and educational organization of artists, this feature

length documentary will create an international awareness about the pervasiveness of injustice while encouraging a

grass roots movement to call for government to institute social change. Critically acclaimed filmmaker Terry L.

Benedict will take the helm as director. His focus on developing inspiring stories that make a positive impact on the local and global community provides the right direction for this timely project.

The Outreach:

To achieve full potential, the film must reach as many eyes as possible. Our aim for the documentary is to premiere at a major film festival, obtain a theatrical release with nationwide distribution, and have educational screenings supported by organizations such as Amnesty International. With the help of follow-up curriculum created to accompany the film, communities will engage in pivotal conversations on critical social justice issues. Before the scheduled execution date for Troy we will release short form media of the film. Publicity will begin as early as possible to have an impact in the efforts to save Troy’s life.

Immediate Steps:

We are entrenched in a fund raising effort to make this film a reality and are driven to create a high quality and compelling

film as quickly as possible while Troy’s case is still pending. Early discussions and research are currently on a fast track with inspired investors.

For more info visit: TroyDavisFilm.org

http://www.troydavisfilm.blogspot.com/

[carolaa]

From today's Democracy Now! headlines:

"Court Rejects Troy Davis Appeal, Extends Stay of Execution

"In Georgia, a federal appeals court has rejected an appeal seeking a new trial for the death row prisoner Troy Anthony Davis. Davis was convicted for the 1989 killing of a white police officer. Since the trial, seven of the nine non-police witnesses have recanted their testimony. There is no direct physical evidence tying Davis to the crime scene. And three witnesses claim another man later admitted to the killing. Despite rejecting Davis’s appeal Thursday, the court said it would extend Davis’s stay of execution pending a final appeal before the Supreme Court."

[GreatLakesGramma]

We need to pray that the Supreme Court justices will do the right thing, and overturn this unjust verdict.

[phkrause]

Seems like this keeps on going and going. The poor guy must be really getting down. God must have a purpose in mind. Not that its the same, but it kind of reminds me a little of the book " Life Without Parole" by Rick Fleck. He sits in a prison convicted also of murder which he did not do. But for him it means only life whereas for Davis it means the death penalty. With Rick Fleck he actually knew who the killer was but never told on him. With Davis I'm guessing he does not know. I pray that God will eventually allow him to go free.

pk

[Planey]

On the other hand, if Troy Davis is a true believer (sorry, Luke) then he has knowledge the rest of us do not share - the exact time and date of the Second Coming.

Perhaps we should also consider his fate in the light of the story of Hezekiah.

Graeme

[Woody]

Seems like this keeps on going and going. The poor guy must be really getting down. God must have a purpose in mind. Not that its the same, but it kind of reminds me a little of the book " Life Without Parole" by Rick Fleck. He sits in a prison convicted also of murder which he did not do. But for him it means only life whereas for Davis it means the death penalty. With Rick Fleck he actually knew who the killer was but never told on him. With Davis I'm guessing he does not know. I pray that God will eventually allow him to go free.

pk

Yes pk. My wife and I are in the middle of reading this book together. Good book.

[True-believer]

WOW...

I didn't know there was a person being put to death just for being an Adventist???

I hope Planey that he himself is a "true believer".

But I have NEVER heard of persecution ever for people who were willing to either keep the Sabbath or become Adventist until I decided to become one after knowing the whole truth and nothing but truth...

Could people on this forum let me know of different kinds of people that have received very strong and severe persecution just for following the Bible and keeping God's 7th day Sabbath!!!

I had a lovely time today on Sabbath with my Church home, we went letterboxing in the afternoon putting in Bible Study leaflets about Jesus Second-Coming---if people would either want a private visit to their home or something else???

I hope and pray that my brothers and sisters on this forum had an awesome Sabbath---be blessed everyone.

[Planey]

Luke, read the first posts in this thread to get the full story.

Troy Davis is not waiting to be executed for being an Adventist.

Graeme

[carolaa]

Yes, I think we've even established that Troy Davis is not an Adventist, after all. Just someone caught in the system.

[carolaa]

One of many, no doubt.

[GreatLakesGramma]

I joined the action center, filled in all the spaces, and sent the pre-written message. So far I have received 4 replies, one from the LA Times telling me they don't print letters that are part of letter-writing campaigns, one from the Tribune, telling me delivery has been delayed, one from the White House telling me they have a new site for handling messages, and that I should re-submit my message to that address, and I don't remember where the first one was from - some newspaper, I remember.

Since some of these replies contain the original message, I see that it was sent to Senators Obama and McCain, AND President Bush. I think they need to get their information updated.

[carolaa]

What action center did you join? I'm wondering if you were looking at an old link. This thread has been here for several months.

[carolaa]

Here's the latest:

Yesterday [6-29-09] the U.S. Supreme Court delayed a decision on whether to grant Troy Davis an appeal until after it returns from recess in September. The court's decision (or non-decision) should be taken as a good sign. It gives us hope that at least some Supreme Court Justices may finally be waking up to the strong claims of innocence in this case and want to take more time to weigh the facts.

We are convinced that if the justices agree to hold a hearing and allow all evidence to be weighed, then they will come to see what we have known all along – the pieces just don't add up. When Davis was sentenced to death for the 1989 shooting of a police officer in Savannah, there was an absence of any physical evidence against him. Furthermore, the majority of witnesses who testified against him then, have now recanted or changed their stories altogether.

Troy's case continues to inspire the support of millions of activists and countless leaders speaking on behalf of human rights, including former President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond TuTu.

Our activism has already put the U.S. Supreme Court and Georgia officials on the fence. Now we've got to do all we can these next couple of months to guarantee justice for Troy Davis!

Join the thousands in Savannah, Georgia who are calling for the new District Attorney to reopen Troy's case. Then, forward the link onto everyone you know!

Troy's life continues to be saved because of people like you who take the time to make the difference.

Thank you,

–Laura Moye, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign Director

P.S. Stay informed of the latest Troy news by checking back here: http://amnestyusa.org/troy

[phkrause]

Thanks for the info. I wonder if there is any way we can appeal this to the top guy in the US?

pk