Statement, plus letter from Troy Davis (extract)
Statement by Martin Hodgson – Anti Death Penalty Coordinator, Foreign Prisoner Support Service.
The Murder of Troy Davis –
Please do not publish without prior consent and I insist on accurate reporting of this matter.
At 1.08pm AEST Troy Anthony Davis was executed by the state of Georgia, USA, for a crime he did not commit.
Abolish now! - Martin Hodgson
Despite all the facts in the case, 7/9 witnesses retracting their testimony, no DNA or physical evidence and countless irregularities in the case the State of Georgia went ahead with what will be marked on Troy’s death certificate as a “homicide”. He was an innocent man who the justice system failed and he maintained that innocence until his death.
Troy had the support of millions of people around the World and in the United States, he had the support of President Jimmy Carter, Fmr FBI Director William Sessions, The Pope, Archbishop Tutu, as well as countless Human rights groups, Celebrities and everyday people.
Troy Davis fought not just for himself, but for those he knew would follow him to the death chamber. He did not want anyone to experience what he has been through and so in his name we continue our fight against the Death Penalty. One of the drugs used to kill Troy was Pentobarbital and I urge all nations to prevent the sale of the drug to any country that would use it in the machinery of death. Today a company profited a large sum of money for the supply of chemicals to kill an innocent man, this must stop.
I urge Australia to continue to oppose the Death Penalty in all cases and to encourage our friends in the International community to abolish its use. We have an International obligation under the second optional protocol (ICCPR) and our media must also shine a light on this barbaric relic of the dark ages.
Troy Davis was an innocent man, with courage, conviction and faith that his story would be told and that capital punishment will end. But Troy Davis was not an issue, not a hashtag on twitter or an evening headline. He was a human being, with real fears, with real dreams and with supreme courage. So as I say “I am Troy Davis” I invite Australians to read a small extract from a letter I received from Troy and know the connection he felt with us.
“When I receive your letters I think of my Sister Martina and feel blessed that her message to save my life has reached around the world. Your shared name reminds me how small this world is and I am marveled that people in Australia know my story. I never dreamed I would be speaking to someone from your country but I know the people are so nice. I hope one day we can share your warm sun together and I have the opportunity to thank all those who have supported me. I cannot hear your voice or see your face but I know we share the human spirit.”
I am Troy Davis!
Martin Hodgson – Anti Death Penalty Coordinator, Foreign Prisoner Support Service.
Bega, NSW. Australia. 0402652047
Posted on September 22, 2011, in Uncategorized and tagged death penalty, press release, statement, Troy Davis. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
1 Deadly Nation 
I don’t agree with the death penalty and am amazed that this could happen to a man that is potentially innocent, but thanks to rash decisions was not given the full opportunity to prove it.
Regardless of innocent or guilty, the system is there to ensure people are given a fair trial. He in fact was not given one and for such a progressive country it is such a huge human injustice.
I feel for his family and for those of the victim.
As much as I abhor the death penalty, this is the law of the land… He was found guilty of a crime, was unsuccessful in appealing the verdict and was punished according to Georgian statute.
We need to fight to overturn the death penalty legislation, not the verdict or plight of this convicted felon.
What occurred was legalized murder – pure and simple. Law of the land should not be respected or honoured when it is unjust. Whether a person be guilty or innocent, the State does not reserve the right to take their life. The death penalty is final – granting a pardon after death when new evidence comes to light is cold comfort. I am grateful that in Australia we have long abandoned this archaic approach to deterring crime – doesn’t work folks!
I thank you for your comments. I think whatever anyones views are on capital punishment that it is important we continue to discuss the issue and speak out against injustice.
While some may say that we should campaign only on the issue and not individual cases it is important to highlight that more than 100 individuals have been proven to be innocent via DNA and other evidence while awaiting their execution. If nobody had campaigned for them they too would have been killed like Troy, innocent men.
It is also important to point out that the State of Illinois conducted an examination of all cases of those on death row in the late 1990’s and found so many to be innocent or victims of a failed justice system they abolished the death penalty under Republican Gov. George Ryan.
Both the broader issue of the death penalty and individual cases must continue to be put under the microscope until the system of state inflicted death is ended once and for all.
Thank you again and thank you to the 1000’s of people who took the time to read Troy’s words and follow this case in Australia.
Martin Hodgson