State denies Troy Davis more time to make case for clemency
John Lewis to testify on behalf of Davis, who is to be executed Tuesday
By CARLOS CAMPOS
Published on: 07/13/07
The state Board of Pardons and Paroles denied a request from Troy
Anthony Davis' lawyers this afternoon for more time to make their
case for clemency.
Lawyers had asked that the Monday meeting to discuss clemency be
postponed. They had formally asked for a stay so they can have more
time to gather witnesses and transport them to Atlanta.
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• Previous story on Troy Davis
The board would not postpone Monday's hearing, noting that his
lawyers were able to muster witnesses who had recanted at a rally
earlier this week in front of the board's offices.
"If they were available last Tuesday, they should be available on
Monday," parole board lawyer Tracy D. Masters wrote in a letter faxed
to Davis' attorneys this afternoon.
Davis was sentenced to death for the shooting of Savannah police
officer Mark Allen MacPhail in 1989, but serious questions about his
guilt have been raised. His lawyers want to present several witnesses
who have recanted testimony used to convict Davis or identified
another shooter. Since his trial in 1991, seven of nine witnesses who
implicated Davis have recanted their testimony.
Davis has gained a powerful ally in his quest to avoid execution.
Veteran civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta
will be among those expected to testify on Davis' behalf at the
clemency hearing.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.
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