AP Reporter Gives First-Hand Account of Troy Davis Execution
- Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:30am by
Billy Hallowell
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Associated Press staff writer Greg Bluestein (AP Photo, File)
JACKSON, Ga. (AP) — It didn‘t take long to notice Troy Davis’ execution was different from the others I’ve covered. As I drove up to the prison, I could see the crowds of protesters and a group of at least 50 reporters.
I’ve covered about 10 executions in Georgia. None of them are easy. This was by far the most unusual.
There were four reporters besides me there to witness the execution. We ended up waiting for more than four hours in a somber prison break room. We made small talk and speculated about whether the U.S. Supreme Court could intervene. At times, it was silent.
Around 10:30 p.m., a guard walked in and said: “You ready?”
We were led into a white van and, after passing through several security checkpoints, we were delivered to the squat white building on the edge of the prison that serves as the death chamber. We watched the slain officer’s son, Mark MacPhail Jr., enter the building. Behind him, Jason Ewart, the condemned man’s attorney, walked in. A county coroner’s van rolled up.
By the time we were inside, officials had already strapped Davis to the gurney. There was a glass window with a curtain separating Davis from the witnesses, who sat in three rows of seats. There were about 20 of us.
Davis searched for Ewart, who nodded slightly when they locked eyes. MacPhail Jr., sitting in the front row, focused on Davis.
When it was time to deliver his last words, Davis’ seized the moment, speaking quickly and confidently.
He told the MacPhail family he was not responsible for the death. “I am innocent. The incident that happened that night is not my fault,” he said.
Davis urged his supporters to “continue to fight the fight.” And just before the lethal drugs coursed through his veins, he offered a message to his executioners: “God have mercy on your souls.”
Davis blinked his eyes rapidly. He squeezed them tight. The curtain closed.
Editor’s Note: Davis was convicted in 1991 of killing police officer Mark MacPhail, who was working as a security guard at the time. MacPhail rushed to the aid of a homeless man who prosecutors said Davis was bashing with a handgun after asking him for a beer. Prosecutors said Davis had a smirk on his face as he shot the officer to death in a Burger King parking lot in Savannah. Click here to read more about the case.
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Comments (200)
ruben
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:43am“I am innocent. The incident that happened that night is not my fault.”
Why would he say “[t]he incident that happened that night is not my fault.“ instead of ”I didn’t kill him.”? I conclude that it is because he killed him but that in his mind, he is satisfied that his having killed him is not his fault. The statement is typical of the reflected by some who refuse to be honest with themselves.
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:47amGod have mercy on your soul.
Report Post »ruben
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:48amshoot. insert “delusion” after “typical of the”
Report Post »ruben
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:50amThank you for your concern on my behalf.
Report Post »1proudAmerican
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:59amRuben, I agree.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:00amDidn’t anybody here? Everybody that gets incarcerated is innocent.
What’s the old liberal line they give about when dirt bags go Scott-free? Oh yeah – our justice system might occasionally let a guilty man walk so that an innocent man is NEVER convicted. This dude’s had more than enough chances to prove his innocence, so he’s obviously guilty as the day is long.
Report Post »Bananacaster
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:01amBoo hoo…boo hoo…
Another dead cop killer who will never do that again! Too bad it cost the state of GA so much money to keep this guy alive for 20 years. Better late than never.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:09amI had the same thoughts you did.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:15amOnly proves that their are no true “christians” on the right. Like the fools that cheered Rick Perrys murder record. There was more than enough evidence present by Troy to cast doubt about his conviction, but the cold blooded animals of the right, demand their pound of flesh.
Report Post »AmericanTT
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:20amFinally! the truth.
Report Post »rab3
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:29amBingo. He know he would be, oddly enough, not telling the truth if he said he did not kill that policemen.
Report Post »kraphtsman
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:32amSo this cold-blooded murderer’s last words are a total lie, and he’ll carry it to the grave for eternity ( where he’ll meet his maker).
34 eyewitnesses saw him shoot this young father/off-duty police officer TWICE… he stood over the wounded man and put another bullet in him…. all in plain sight of the other 34 witnesses at the Burger King parking lot that day. 7 black/5 white jurors also heard testimony identifying this cretin as the killer… from 7 of his PERSONAL FRIENDS. Only 2 of his thug friends ever “recanted”… and this was only in front of the killer’s lawyer.. who REFUSED to allow these two liars to OFFICIALLY recant their original testimony in an actual court, where their latest stories could be cross-examined. The judge CLEARLY warned this incompetent lawyer his cold-blooded-killer client this would prevent any alleged testimony from being entered into the case at the appeal stage… and the guilty party refused to allow his “recanting” witnesses to make their claim in open court.
This dirtbag got the penalty he richly deserved, although it should have happened the day after he lost his first appeal, many years ago !
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:51am@encinom
Amazing, you cry when a career criminal gets the blue juice, but have no emotion when innocent babies get killed in the womb. Can you not find a better hero than a violent criminal who had a history of such violence?
If you notice, the ones on the right that most support the death penalty are generally christian. The death penalty is Biblical.
Exodus 21:12-17
Report Post »King James Version (KJV) 12He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
rangerp
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:54am@kraphtsman
Stop with all the facts, it hurts the libs argument. And only 34 people saw it happen?
I bet all 34 were tea party people, and were getting racist subliminal messages from Sara Palin.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:04amYo Kraphtsman:
Report Post »If what you say is indeed the fact of the case this guy should have been shot the next day with that many witnesses. The media mentions the 2 that recanted but does not mention the 34 that saw him do it. What pathetic people.
WarriorPitbull
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:21amWell said RangerP…
Encinom is proof that liberal ‘progressives’ love cold blooded murderers and hate defenseless babies.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:48amYou police state worshipping sheep act like the FBI DOESN’T have a 98-99% conviction rate…
This is a police state. Courts are corrupt. Witnesses are expert and handpicked.
When does the number reach 100%
100%??
They‘re so freaking corrupt it’s ridiculous.
They’re moving all the drugs in, helping the drug cartels move drugs, guns, and cash, helping the Taliban grow opium, then locking people up in banker owned prisons doing slave labor.
Report Post »Rick Bitterman
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:19pmfunnt thing about the anti death penalty peeps. There was another execution yesterday and there were no protestors or cries of innocence or popes or presidents saying a word. Guess they have some sort standards about all that.
Report Post »pbrenda51
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:27pmAlmost every convicted person states that they are innocent and didn’t do it……..did we expect anything different?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:33pmIMHBLO, our “justice” system is about nothing except the closing of open cases. The ‘guilty’ are secondary to assigning the deed to ‘some one.‘ It doesn’t matter who.
Report Post »Heffe44
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:38pm@Rick Bitterman
There is a very large differance between the two executions. The man that was executed in Texas was guilty beyond a resonable doubt. Even the former Director of the FBI said that there was resonable dobut in the Troy Davis case. If you are going have a State sponsored killing there should be no doubt about the mans guilt. There was more than enough evidence that case doubt on this man conviction.
Nobody was protesting to get him released, they just didn’t want him to be executed.
Report Post »Annette
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:45pmwhose fault is it then…the gun manufacturer, homelessness. Too bad they couldn’t kill him twice.
Report Post »tiwula
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:51pmI don’t believe any of us – including the jury – knows with certainty what happened. He has maintained his innocence throughout. I hope that the jury got it right.
In my estimation, it is far worse for the innocent to be convicted than for the guilty to go free.
Report Post »cosette
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 1:01pmIf there were so much doubt, and sufficient evidence to support it,“ The Innocence Project” would have taken the case and more than likely won. If you are not familiar with this organization you can research it on the internet.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 1:13pmencinom
the judge said that was bunk, and said the statements are not believable.
One thing you forget. these statements were not taken under oath, which makes them INADMISSABLE IN COURT.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 1:16pmencinom
another point.
Bum Bum Bum bum another one bites the dust.
the more murderers are dead the better off we are.
he should have sizzled in the chair tho LMFAO
Report Post »cosette
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 2:44pmIt appears Encinom, The self appointed left wing watchdog of the “coldblooded animals of the right”, his words,not mine, once again offers us a look into his black soul. While vehemently protesting the execution of a BLACK cop killer, whose victim was WHITE. Nary a peep from this “compassionate” lover of life about the execution of a WHITE murderer, whose victim, ironically, was BLACK. Although both executions were high profile and took place on the SAME day, one in Georgia and the other in Texas ,the latter has escaped Encinoms notice. Now why on earth do you suppose that happened. The Texas execution even gave the hypocrite an opportunity to excoriate that evil Rick Perry. Yet not a word. Selective indignation or could it have something to do with the racial component? HUMMMM?
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:26pmlethal injection just seems lame. the chair is the way to go. I bet it sounds like a giant bug hitting the zapper, when they throw the juice to that bad rascal.
They should come up with the electric couch. You could zap four at a time. Would be great for gangs and such, and would sure save time.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:37pmThey said some of the witnesses recanted. The claimed police pressured the witnesses. What about the family of the accused, community organizer & activists? Can’t they pressure witnesses.
What if Troy Davis is correct that he didn’t kill McPahail? His strangely worded denial suggest that he did or knows who did. He is not a stand up guy.
Report Post »thecid100
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 7:08pmYou are absolutely correct. Interview a thief, he may eventually admit he took something, but will never say he “stole” it. He may admit he entered a residence through an open window, but he will never call himself a “burglar” or a “thief.” No, the victim left something “unsecure,” so somebody was going to take it, so why not him? Hell, the victim had it coming! This guys own words show he is trying to rationalize murdering an innocent policeman, a man who gave his life protecting his community. The animal deserves what he got.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:43amLiberals make me sick, and little in them offends me more than when their bleeding hearts go out to convicted murderers. So what that seven recanted their testimonies? Twenty-seven did not, and some of those personally knew Davis.
Let me put this simply for those diseased drug-addled liberal minds: If I beat a lib to pulp, admit it to a friend that I did so but later ‘recant’, does that mean it didn’t happen?
Pffft!
Report Post »pbrenda51
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:32pmAnd yet, they have no problem with killing innocent babies in the womb…….hypocrites!!!
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:41amIf I recall, the words of Charles Manson was he didn’t kill anyone, just happened to be there and oversee what his children did and a few of them are now free, hmmm ok. He should have been put to death but we have been caring for him most of his miserable life. Everyone behind bars is innocent, haven’t you heard? Troy Davis has been sitting all alone long enough to get right with the Lord, so maybe he is forgiven, if so great. I hope God will have Mercy on his soul, bc I am pretty sure that McPhail didn’t have much time to ask for Mercy. I read about the case and it leaves me without a doubt he is guilty. He and his lawyers are trying to make him an example. MSNBC is already saying, this case may turn the US against the death penalty. Don’t think so……..not me anyway. I was once against it when younger until a tragic crime hit too close to home. Very few people feel are against it if their love ones are murdered. Hope this gives the cops family some closure, been a long time.
Report Post »AlmostaCowboy
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 4:52pmI don’t think Hitler actually killed anyone either, did he? :-)
Report Post »llleslie
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:36amSo what about the man at the pool party who was shot in the face allegedly by Davis? I would like details on his testimony. That might have some relevancy to this case. Did Davis ever try to take a lie detector test before the very day he was to be executed? Too many unanswered questions in what appears to be biased reporting to make a judgement. Just the facts please.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:48amAnn Coulter’s column today has a lot of details about the trial that the MSM leave out. I‘m sure it’s just space constraints, they would never be biased……
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:57amYou get your news from Ann Coulter? Does that mean you think 911 widows are fame whores who enjoyed their husbands’ deaths too? for people who whimper about the sanctity of life, you conservatives sure do like death.
Report Post »chipmunk
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:05am@GOT A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER IN MY HEAD
Although you’ve yet to offer a single constructive comment or solution, your anger, rage & threats are really escalating. Is that commensurate with your increasing desperation? LOL
Here are just a few of your recent snippets:
**** The Dick Cheney schol of armed response. Go F yourself. All my liberal friends are armed to the teeth. BRING IT ON!
ItS gonna take a while for us to fix that crap bag you created. sit on your couch, make two fists, bring them up to your eyes, rub and go waaaaaaaaa . . . I got more money than you could steal in three lifetimes
… Tea Party freaks aren’t happy unless the interviewer is on their knees genuflecting … Maybe if one of these conservative yokels actually had the brains and the balls to answer a question, you wouldn’t be jammed into the corer whining “It’s a gotcha question!” every time they say something stupid.****
I’m glad you & your friends are well armed. Just be sure you have all your permits in place like a good little liberal.
I’m also glad that you’re so well off. And why wouldn’t you be with your supposed military pension & successful journalism career. (You recall boasting about your Journalism degree after attending 5 colleges!! Hey, didn’t it also take your attendance at 7 Tea Party rallies to determine that you are far superior to all the (was it) fat belching people there? Are you a slow learner in addition to being mentally
Report Post »DrFrost
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:35am@GODHEAD
One could just as easily say:
“Liberals stand up for the life of a convicted murderer but somehow they don’t care about the life of a helpless 2 month old fetus?”
Any reasonably complicated view of the world is going to have apparent contradictions. There are two opposing ideals: justice and sanctity of life. In different situations people are going to draw the line in different places due to their beliefs, culture, etc. Ridiculing them because they don’t have the same beliefs as you reflects poorly on your character, not theirs.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:10pmD Head has no character, . his mother and father had no character. Most D’s have no character.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:02pmGhead – I get my news from lots of places, some of which you might even consider worthy. My son is a student in Savannah, and since I was concerned about his safety I looked into the matter from a variety of sources. My opinion at first was if there’s any doubt, throw it out, but the more deeply I looked into the case particulars the less I doubted Troy’s guilt. Taking the life of another human being should never be taken lightly. I sincerely hope his death was justice, and not a grave injustice. The reason I mentioned Ann’s column is that she highlighted the evidences from the legal procedings that are not in doubt. Her qualifcations to evaluate legal issues are impeccable. I don’t agree with her all the time, but as regards the legal process I respect her analyses.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:35amdun dun dun, another one bites the dust
Report Post »Centralsville
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:33amIsn’t it odd how the left only thinks life is precious when it is a murderer being put to death. They are truly twisted and deranged.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:37amYea, twisted!, “Give us all your money to support all the things you don’t support”
Report Post »woodyl1011fl
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:57amAll liberals are accessories to the shedding of the blood of the innocent every single day of their lives as thousands of children who have never been allowed to take their first breath are murdered daily! Liberals applaud ,cheer and raise money and elect democrats and appoint liberal Schumerite judges to continue the perpetuation of this monstrous evil stain on our nations soul.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:02amOh please. That’s like that saying “Isn‘t it odd that the right only thinks life is precious until it’s out of the womb?” It’s a pretty flawed statement and you insult yourself by posting it.
Report Post »urrybr
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:07amExactly!! They decry the execution of a convicted murderer, and then support a person’s right to undergo the barbaric procedure known as “partial birth abortion.” These sleazy libs probably agree with the Canadian judge that let the woman go that murdered her child with her underwear. They probably think that the couple that would have aborted their severly deformed child have an excellent point, and are correct in sueing the doctor and ultrasound tech.
Report Post »Libs, “your father was a hamster, and your mother smelt of elderberries, pffffffffft. I fart in your general direction!”
MUDFLAPS
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:33amVery quiet, very respectful, very somber… I wonder if the person he killed got that same attention.
Report Post »metalurgy
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:30amHe needs to be dead.
Already admitted pistol whipping the cop, has a laundry list of criminal activity including conviction of shooting and wounding another victim.
Witnesses recant all the time after they have been threatened by gang members. Happens in Mafia cases all the time. Nothing new here
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:35amThug, got his earned just reward for life of skulldugery!!
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:17amThe REAL problem is that the public fed, clothed and gave this guy 20 years to escape and cause the justice system trouble! When will we return to swift and sure justice? Convicted and hung the same day, even the same hour!
Report Post »NOLAexpat
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:08amThe true statistics of executions by race are more like 56% white, 35% black, 7% latino, 2% other (from deathpenaltyinfo.org). The prosecution made their case solidly when the trial was held and he was convicted without incident. As 22 years passed the facts never changed only people’s opinions changed. Over that period of time everyone’s memory of what they said, what they saw, and how they reacted will change… that‘s completely normal but it’s another repercussion of leaving people on death row longer than most of their victems got to live. You can’t change the statistics of the races executed but some people want to ignore it. Every white executed is a brutal racist who deserves to be killed and every black is an innocent martyr persecuted by racist police and lynced by angry whites. I wonder how many black protest groups promised him they would help his family in some way if he just lived out the martyr position to the end? In this day, do we really believe that there are no organizations willing to take advantage of a man’s death to bolster their bogus “causes”? Mourn for his soul, pray for both of the families, and bury the man’s corpse unembalmed so he can rot.
Report Post »liberalsarealiens
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:17amWhile I support capital punnisment I still have some strong feeling about the degree of guilt the state must prove in order to invoke the death penalty. Cut and dried is one thing but, beyond a reasonable doubt is another. Where does reasonable doubt begin and end? I don’t know the issues on this case at all. The only questions I have in this case is WHY did the witnesses change their testimony? Personally I hope I never have to make that decision but if called I will do my best to find those answers.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:40amThey changed their testimony 17yrs. later. The media doesn’t even tell us that. The mother of the victim said it on CNN last night. There is a propaganda campagn to abolish the death penalty. for me nothaving a death penalty is barbaric-it says might makes right,only the astrong survice and to be oppossed to the death penalty is to be complcit with premeditated murderers.Of course there is no reason why it has to take 22yrs.to exhaust all appeals.A time limit should be imposed. it certainly is unconstituional to have a case drag on for 22yrs. The supreme court was able to rule on the Bush election after deliberating over a weekend Capital cases should be swift but methoddical-the court can do both. The media has been purposely slanted in the presentation of this case.Those witnesses who recanted 17yr.s later should be investigated by the media and put on the spot.That the anti-death penalty lawers and organizaions point the finger at one of the witnesses who refused to recant is like a bad novel. life in prison without parole to me is inhuman and worse then barbaric. Killing someone for punishment for having killed an innocent unarmed person is justice.Killing someone as a punishment for having killed an unarmed innocent person is justice. the people have a right to want and expect justice.
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:14amit does sound like there was some doubt about his conviction, but the media probably is not reporting the evidence that the supreme court saw to uphold the conviction. the media needs to report all the facts before we start saying the wrong thing was done.
By the way, a white guy was (rightfully) put to death for dragging and killing a black guy behind his car yesterday. you didn’t see any white people clammoring for his release, did you?
Report Post »obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:25amIs anybody else pissed that we taxpayers had to pay for delayed justice for 20 years?
Report Post »I heard that 77% of people put to death in US are WHITE! Nobody upset and protesting that.
TheValley
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:11amYou guys are pathetic, if there was even one tiny shred of doubt, there should have been no execution. You guys all probably thought the Anthony case was a disappointment too. NONE of you adhere to the Constitution as it was intended. Our system was set up to let guilty men go free rather than convict one innocent person. The whole system failed here, there was enough evidence for a new trial, why are the authorities always trying to block re-opening cases? If their evidence was concrete, there should be no fear, there was more than enough reason for a new trial. This man was wronged. Just for the record, I am not against the death penalty, I am against wrongful prosecutions though.
Report Post »robert
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:25amI don‘t advocate excuting anybody that isn’t solidly proven guilty. My reading of this case proves to me this man is absolutely guilty.
Don‘t you think it’s strange that a trmendous number of these murderers/torturers who die by lethal injection are innocent, if you listen to them?
And do you know that they show absolutely NO remorse to their victims and callously torture and murder them, in spite of the fact that their victims often plead for their lives, over and over again?
But then somehow they’re innocent and their next step then is to get religion. They‘ve never had it before and they likely laughed at their victims’ apeals to God to save them, but when it is their own lives on the line they even go so far as to quote scripture.
This one tells us of our guilt: “God have mercy on your souls.” Willie Darden, a vicious killer in Florida, had last words quoting Jesus Christ when he said, “Forgive them father for they know not what they do.”
Funny, isn’t it, how good and religious they are when they’re called to account for their crimes, yet they somehow didn’t have the same compassion for their victims?
Report Post »HARDWORKPAYS
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:49amOh boo hoo, a man got put to death, but it is ok for us to kill hundreds of babies every day.
Report Post »This country is so screwed up. Bleeding heart liberals are all hypocrites. Sickening.
conservativeKen1971
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:06amWatching Forensic Files on TV there is very little room left of not catching the right guy. If all the forensic evidence points to one person that’s enough for me. If there is a video recording of a person killing another person even better. Why wait to execute them? And a shot? That’s the easy way out compared to the brutality of most murders.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:01amThis is a problem with this system. If we indeed are going to practice capital punishment, it should happen swiftly and not drag on for years and years! It‘s not a deterrent but revenge and that’s not a problem for me.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:27amYou are CORRECT! Swift justice CANNOT be done after 20 years! He was kept alive long enough to be found guilty by the system. He should have been punished the SAME DAY he was found guilty! This country needs to STOP listening to the bleeding heart liberals who have a way of asking questions that make the guilty seem righteous and the victim seem guilty. When will this country get some balls again and stop letting the criminal have the time it takes to twist the courts mind?
Report Post »Godfather.1
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:44amApparently you two didn’t see the story on this site from a couple of days ago where a man was set free nearly twenty years after he was convicted because it was found that he did not do it. What if he had been executed immediately and then this revelation came out after he was dead? There is an appeal process for a reason; the criminal justice system makes mistakes.
What about all those people who have been exonerated in Texas? Would you rather those people were put to death immediately and that when we find that they were innocent we just throw our hands up and say, “oh well, we’ll get it right next time” ?
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:18pm@Godfather; No one ever said our justice system was perfect. How many MORE people have died because CONVICTED KILLERS have escaped while waiting on death row? You cite ONE innocent…. We have a responsibility to society to keep costs of incarceration low. How high is the recidivism rate now? People who have killed should pay with their life, not be allowed to work the system, or escape because of sloppy guards or a bought system. We all have a right to swift justice. But once found guilty by a system that did it’s best at what they do, then punishment must be metered out equal to the crime. We should NOT value the life of a police officer any more than the life of a drug addict. The taking of a life MUST be fairly adjudicated by the taking of the killers life if found guilty.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:58amLast night in Texas a white man who dragged a black man to death behind his car was executed,too. Where were the bleeding hearts? The only difference is one perp was black and one was white. The double standard is alive and well. They both got what they deserved.
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:09amfinally, somebody else saw that story too.
Report Post »AmericanTT
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:18amThe other difference is, the guy doin the dragging said he did it and would do it again. the other one lied till the end.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:00amDo you mean he used the Weiner defense?
Report Post »db321
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 2:46pmWhite supremacist gang member Lawrence Russell Brewer has been executed for the infamous dragging death slaying of James Byrd Jr., a black man from East Texas.
The 49-year-old Byrd of Jasper was chained to the back of a pickup truck 13 years ago and pulled to his death along a bumpy asphalt road.
It’s one of the most grisly hate crime murders in recent Texas history.
No last-day appeals were filed to try to spare the 44-year-old Brewer from lethal injection in Huntsville.
Brewer requested an extensive last meal: two chicken friend steaks, a triple-meat bacon cheeseburger, fried okra, a pound of barbecue, three fajitas, a pint of ice cream, a meat lover’s pizza and a slab of peanut butter fudge.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:52amIf he was innocent, he would NOT have been convicted. This is what happens when it takes so long to do the executions.
Report Post »We need to do the execution the next day or the next year at the latest.
samisus
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:14amI don’t agree…there have been a few wrongful convictions. On the other hand if the person pleads guilty…why are we waiting 20 years to execute them?
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:49amI dont get it.. They had 20 years to protest and appeal .. How many appeals did he have ? I mean all the people that recanted their story did they recant last night at 5 pm ? I don’t get why it comes down to the final minutes and then come out with the story of the witnesses recanting their stories..
Report Post »djhrr
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:58amThis
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:59am14 appeals , all failed .
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:48amJust hope he was truly guilty
Report Post »warr9553
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:48amscrew him,he had 20 yrs to prove he did not do it.he had no problem killing the cop or beating the hell out of the homeless man.its funny how they all find god after they find prision.
Report Post »GodHatesFigs
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:45amIf we execute even one innocent man, we are all guilty of murder.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:52amOh are “ WE ” ? I didn’t do anything, so I’m not guilty of a single thing, pal… You want to feel guilty that’s your problem, but just remember that’s how we have a marxist/communist in office running the country today because of guilt..
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:56amWhat a bunch of hooey, where the he!! do you libs come up with these insipid one liners? We’re all guilty of something. There are so many fail safes now in the system it is extremely rare. Besides life without parole doesn’t sound so good either. If we sentenced even one innocent man to life without parole what would that make you guilty of? By your standards and a logical extension thereof we should just abolish all crimes and prisons. Moronic…
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:15amno. not all of us. just the people that lied.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:24amFig:
Report Post »Don’t put me in your barrel.
No system can be perfect but if after 20 appeals he is still guilty, he needs to pay the price.
Every time you libs cry about the rights of criminals and murderers you seem to have amnesia about the victims.
How did you feel about the white man who dragged Mr. Byrd to his death?
Are “we” (you) guilty for putting that animal to death?
Stu D. Baker-Hawk
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:37amGodhatesfigs, you are a fool of the first order. If you want to lump yourself into the group of ‘guilty’, go ahead, but I did NOTHING to convict this man or send him to his death. Again, you are a FOOL.
Report Post »JustJerry
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:37amThe death penalty is never a good thing. You would think the religious right would agree.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:16amKilling innocent people with bombs is acceptable but killing a murderer is not? Unless one is a complete pacifist – the sudden concern with thou shalt not kill rings bogus.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:24amWhen the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
Report Post »Ecclesiastes 8:11
THX-1138
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:43amRead up on this one. It’s not open and shut.
Report Post »Do you really trust the State with this much power knowing what you know about it?
Ookspay
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:25amDead Cop, Dead perp, open and shut!
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:43amSure he was innocent. Just ask his momma. He was such a good boy. Went to church every Sunday, assisted elderly neighbors with errands, was a Cub Scout leader, and loved kittens, too, right?
“I am innocent. The incident that happened that night is not my fault,” he said. Yeah, nothing was your fault. It must have been Bush’s fault, you low life piece of garbage.
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:42amI personally believe in capital punishment, unfortunately, humans are not 100% reliable, and after 7 witnesses recanted there testimony and someone else confessed, there should have been another trial…On this case I believe he may have been wronged. However without following this case at all, I can’t say for sure.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:45am7 out of 34 witnesses recanted. Davis would not permit the testimony of 2 of them to be admitted into evidence. I think he’s right where he belongs.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=46347
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:46amI have to agree with your position. It seems like there was enough in this case to take a better look at the case. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HPgnuiPGLM
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:49amThe U.S.Supreme Court, The GA Supreme Court and every court on down disagree with you. Are they all biggots? The courts err on the side of caution, and nobody saw a problem with proceeding with the execution. Liberals fight on the side of cop killers every time. If this guy had been white, nobody outside the state of GA would have ever known this guy’s name.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:55amAmen Biohazard23!
Report Post »This story is being manipulated by the progressives to stir up racial violence. Unfortunately even the conservative press and many conservatives themselves are falling in line as sympathetic in fear of being labeled racist. Were all the courts who looked at this case over the last 20 years just racists itching to lynch a black man? You know damned well they bent over backwards to avoid executing the man but could find no just reason not to.
demint.disciple
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:05am@biohazard23.. Thanks bro for the Coulter article .. It answered ALL of my questions.. That guy was guilty as hell ….
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:05amGonzo, and to think that those who so vehemently oppose the death penalty are also ardent supporters of abortion. Go figure. Spare the life of a deranged killer but go ahead and slaughter all the innocent babies you like. Such is the logic of the liberal mind……
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:11amHey Bio, in a progressive’s mind, a cop is subhuman just like an unborn child.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:19am@Demint.Disciple, no problem! Glad to help. But just one thing: I’m not a bro, I’m a sis. I know, I know, it‘s hard to believe but it’s true. :)
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:33amGonzo, sad but true…..
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:09amBio, thanks for the input, again I did not follow the case, and there are many instances of wrongful executions having been followed through.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:48amJust out of curiosity, how many wrongful executions have actually taken place?
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:34pmDoes anyone know the race of the homeless man?
An off duty cop came to the aid of a homeless man. Liberals don’t appreciate that?
Report Post »what if the homeless man were black. Would the liberals like McPhail just a little teensy bit then?
felix
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:38amgood riddence to bad rubbish
Report Post »godhead
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:48amThat’s how I feel about Michelle Bachmann . . . so long, it’s been good to now ya.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:37amwhat! no popcorn?
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