Tell Pres. Obama and Attorney General Holder: Save Troy Davis

[tblue]

Source: AnswerCoaliton.org

I just sent a letter to Pres. Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder demanding that they launch a federal civil rights investigation right now into the case of Troy Davis and seek a stay of his execution that is scheduled for tonight at 7pm.

More than 1 million people have signed a petition in support of Troy Davis. Demonstrations have taken place around the country and the world. Even the former director of the FBI has said that this execution is an injustice and should not go forward. Seven out of nine witnesses recanted. The real killer was named by three people.

Absolutely no physical evidence has been found that implicates Davis in the killing. No murder weapon has ever been found, exposing yet another major gap in the prosecution's case. This is the fourth time the state of Georgia has set an execution date for Davis, who was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989.

Of the nine witnesses, seven have recanted or altered their version of events. Five have signed statements saying they were coerced by police to testify against Davis, a common element of many racist "legal lynchings" targeting Black people. Three witnesses said that another man confessed to them that he killed the police officer.

Time is running out. Please take a moment to send a letter to Pres. Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to save Troy Davis's life. A sample letter is provided for you--it only takes a couple of minutes.

Read more: http://www.answercoalition.org/national/news/tell-president-obama-take-action-troy-davis.html

[defendandprotect]

1. kr

[MADem]

2. They can't do anything at this late stage--the ones who can stop this are in GA.

They seem unmotivated, though. NT

[Ship of Fools]

3. Question:

I hardly mean to equate T Davis with Schiavo, but as disgusting as this is -- I don't think POTUS should interfere. Please don't get me wrong. I'm against DP wholeheartedly. In lieu of that, is there ANYTHING else that can happen other than the prosecutor stopping this??? Surely there has to be.

[MADem]

6. The only thing I can think of is unlikely. Couldn't the governor issue a stay?

I don't think anyone expects that, though.

I am assuming the appeals process has run its course and there are no further recourses through the court system? I haven't been following it as closely as some, I'm afraid.

I don't think Obama putting his beak in will help the situation, either--and might, indeed, have the reverse effect to what he would have intended.

[polmaven]

12. No, he can't

In Georgia the Governor does not have that ability.

[MADem]

15. Could he ask the panel making the decision to issue a stay? nt

[polmaven]

17. He could, but

I doubt very much that they would even listen to the first couple of words. It is Georgia, don't forget. Whatever this president would want would be totally blocked by them. ...my opinion only...
The board is appointed by the Governor and a death sentence has not been overturned in over 33 years.

[elleng]

11. NOTHING AT ALL FROM THE FEDS. Only Georgia authorities.

[lsewpershad]

4. Done.

[kelly1mm]

5. This is a state issue, not federal. How exactly can the President or AG

do anything to stop this execution?

[cstanleytech]

7. The president could issue a pardon but no president has ever

issued one that I can recall in which its a case involving the death penalty.

[kelly1mm]

10. I think the President can only issue pardons in Federal cases, not state

cases. If I am wrong, probably a commutation would be better as it does not wipe away the conviction, rather just says that enough punishment has been served.

[cstanleytech]

14. Hmm you might be right, im not sure.

[bluestateguy]

19. Presidents may only issue pardons or commutations for federal crimes

Not a crime or death sentence that comes from a state.

[elleng]

13. You're correct, they can't.

[Solomon]

26. Doesnt matter.

Everything winds up being Obama's fault you know. He refuses to exercise his dictatorial power to fix anything.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

21. It hasn't been done in more than a century...

But the Attorney General could order the US Marshals to take him into federal protective custody.

[kelly1mm]

23. That would be interesting. I suppose it could work to stop the execution

but open a big political mess.

[BlueIris]

8. Pointless, for so many reasons. nt

[elleng]

9. Folks, they DON'T HAVE ANY JURISDICTION over the matter.

Spend efforts with authorities in Georgia.

[ColesCountyDem]

16. They lack jurisdiction.

They have neither in personam nor in rem jurisdiction to do anything about this.

[bluestateguy]

18. I am curious as to how that could be done

In addition, I'm wondering if it ever has been done: a president halting an execution by an individual state.

[glinda]

20. Pressure should be brought down upon these people to halt it no matter what. This is plain wrong.

[Eyerish]

22. The president and holder can order a civil rights investigation and stop the execution...

That's what the letter is asking if anyone took the time to read it...

[ColesCountyDem]

30. They could order the investigation.

They couldn't order Georgia to stop the execution. Only a federal judge could do that.

[Poll_Blind]

24. Oh if he wanted to comment, he could. Anyone remember the "Beer Summit" or his public...

...commentary on Congressman Weiner- "If it was me, I'd resign!"

Obama isn't as hogtied, at least from commenting or injecting himself into a situation, as some are making out.

He just doesn't choose to.

PB

[Azathoth]

27. Actually, the Beer Summit was a PR stunt designed to repair the damage he did by improperly

injecting himself into the Gates arrest.

The Weiner scandal was a purely political affair, and as the political leader of the Democratic Party, it was his perogative to comment in support of the rest of the party leadership.

[NYC Liberal]

28. Yes but might it do more harm than good?

I'm not saying he should or shouldn't. But might there be a knee jerk reaction by the panel if Obama "stuck his nose" in when he really has no role?

[Modern_Matthew]

25. We can't put everything on the President, for crying out loud. nt

[slay]

29. They don't care

just like they don't care about medical marijuana patients either - they don't care. they don't care about you. they don't care about me. they care about money and power - and have proven it over and over during the past 3 years.