Troy Davis — big news
The Georgia Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear the discretionary appeal of Troy Davis, whose scheduled execution last month was put on hold by the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. The court has put it on its November calendar.
Davis’ lawyers have tried to present the new witnesses information to appeals courts, but they have refused to hear it —- in part due to a federal law designed to expedite death penalty appeals. Through the courts, Davis had asked a judge in Savannah to grant him a new trial, but the trial court judge, Judge Penny Haas Freesemann, held Davis’ new evidence did not meet the excrutiatingly high barriers for new trials.
The Georgia Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider that evidence. At the moment Troy’s execution date should be considered to be stayed indefinitely. Expect Amnesty International (who have been key in spearheading the activist efforts for Troy) to have more soon. Congrats to pro bono counsel, Arnold & Porter, as well as all those in Georgia behind the scenes who made this happen. [h/t Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn / Director - Program to Abolish the Death Penalty]
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