U.S. Supreme Court Delays Execution of Convicted Georgia Cop Killer Troy Davis

“The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of execution for Troy Anthony Davis less than two hours before he was to be put to death by lethal injection yesterday, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Davis, 39, sits on death row for the 1989, killing of Savannah Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail. Annelie Reaves, MacPhail’s sister, said the victim’s family was furious but would wait for the execution to be rescheduled”.

“It was the second time that Davis, whose claims of innocence have attracted international attention, was granted a stay hours before he was to be put to death. In July 2007, the state Board of Pardons and Paroles postponed his execution less than 24 hours before it was to occur. Supreme Court justices are scheduled to meet Monday to decide whether to hear Davis’ appeal of a ruling issued by the Georgia Supreme Court in March. In that 4-3 decision, the state court rejected Davis’ bid for a new trial or a court hearing to present new evidence”.

Crime and Justice News, September 24, 2008.