Death Penalty

One year ago today - July 17, 2007 - was the original execution date set for Troy Anthony Davis, a man with a strong innocence case who still sits on Georgia's death row.  Yesterday, July 16^th, was the one-year anniversary of that infamous hearing in front of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.  The Board voted to stay Davis' execution for up to 90-days, notifying Davis and his family less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to die.  This was a day that many of us will never forget - a memory that will forever inspire us to keep up the fight.

Martina Correia, the sister of Troy Anthony Davis, remembers that moment when she found out that her brother had received a stay.  She found out before he did.  "Upon telling Troy he had only a few words, beautiful words, ‘Thank you God, Thank you God,' then he began to pray and cry."  She continues, "Upon telling the warden and once verified he was immediately moved back to his cell [from the death cell next to the execution chamber] and walking back on death row the inmates were in tears and applauding, saying, 'Maybe one of us will get justice.' Curtis Osborne was one of those death row inmates and he was executed a few weeks ago."

The fight for life and justice continues, but we cannot give up hope.  Troy Anthony Davis remains on death row in Georgia, and will likely face a new execution date in the very near future.  You can read more about his case here, and then please go here to take action.

I'll finish this blog with a few more words from Martina, as I could not possibly say it better than her:

A time had come [one year ago] that I had no control over, but through it all I felt the warmth of Human Rights, love and prayers from all over the world... I realize that because of you all, human rights activists, advocates, and just people who believe in human dignity and fairness, that my family and my brother Troy we are all so much richer, blessed, stronger and thankful to you all.

I have said it once and I will say it again, "We Still have Fight in Us and we Will Never Give up!"

Sincerely,

Martina Correia

Sister of Troy Anthony Davis

Georgia's Death Row

~ Jessie, DPAC