The U.S. and its Death Penalty

(Posted on 22/09/11)

As news about the execution of Troy Davis, a man on Georgia's death row in the United States, began to spread, the country found itself divided, as always, when it comes to America's death penalty. It's a controversial topic, up there with abortion and stem cell research. But what happens when a conviction goes forward, despite the kind of evidence that was apparently available in this particular case? If you're on the Supreme Court, not much.

If the Casey Anthony murder trial was the "social media trial of the century" in the U.S., then the Troy Davis execution was the "social media justice-by-death execution of the century". Despite each state's adamant insistence that no death penalties are carried out unless there's no doubt of guilt, it appears Davis might have been the unfortunate exception - and if that's so, then justice has certainly been denied.

Witnesses retracted their testimony, polygraph tests were given to - and passed - by Davis and with the foul odor of police corruption, many are wondering how this ever ended up with a man whose guilt was question and whose life ended with a needle in his arm.

Further complicating matters was the seemingly endless walks down Georgia's hallways that lead to the execution chambers that Davis took, which he called "torturous". Each time he made that walk, he'd turn back because of a court ruling staying the execution. Each time, a bit of hope sprung forward only to be stomped back down days or weeks later. The cycle would repeat itself over and over.

Along with the other questionable "facts" in the case, it's important to remember that vicious cycle that sometimes defines the American justice system. Many times over the years, Davis and his legal teams would request a retrial only to be turned away because he hadn't "proven his innocence" in the time since the original trial. It defeats the purpose if one can't get that retrial so that he can prove his innocence. Further, there was no DNA evidence, no gun was ever found and the one "star" witness has found himself in the crosshairs as evidence that has been gathered could point to him being the murderer.

It's too late for Davis, which is the ultimate tragedy. No one will ever know what might have been for this man, who had his entire life ahead of him had he not spent his adult years in a Georgia prison. In growing pressure, those who object to the death penalty are calling on elected leaders to rethink its constitutionality in its entirety. It's likely that won't happen. The U.S. staunchly defends its right to take the lives of those who have murdered.

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*Image courtesy of Amnesty International and shows Troy Davis and his mother in 2002.