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PDF versionTroy Davis clemency denied
by Heidi Schlumpf on Sep. 20, 2011
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles voted to deny clemency to Troy Davis, who has attracted high-profile support for his claim that he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989. Despite significant doubts about his guilt (as NCR blogger Claire Schaeffer-Duffy noted here), Davis' execution is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT tomorrow.
Amnesty International has been leading many of the protests in support of Davis, but I'm proud to see a number of prominent Catholics among the rappers and Hollywood types pleading for clemency, among them Savannah’s Catholic bishop emeritus J. Kevin Boland, Atlanta archbishop Wilton Gregory and Pope Benedict. The Diocese of San Jose has the Troy Davis case at the top of its Respect Life webpage (along with a wonderful "seamless garment" mix of other life issues).
Of course, as prolife Catholics, we should oppose the use of the death penalty in any case, since the possibility of life without parole exists as an option. But in cases where there is significant doubt about the person's guilt, it is unconscionable. I say this as someone from a state where a number of innocent people have been released from Death Row.
I often think that some find it easier to advocate on behalf of innocent, unborn children, because they know they were once innocent, unborn children. But many of us have a hard time imagining that we would ever be unjustly facing execution. Yet our faith calls us to see both of those innocent victims as children of God and to advocate for their lives.
Click here to join the last-ditch effort to get the board to reconsider its decision.
There is always doubt about
There is always doubt about everyone convicted. DNA evidence frees many. But someone did commit each crime for which there there was a trial. I'm suspicious of all the "innocent" people who were convicted. There was a reason they were convicted. They had to have to some connection to the crime scene.
If they didn't really do it, they probably know who did. Have you ever heard of a freed "innocent" person ever, ever providing some state's evidence pointing to the real killer? Of course not! Innocent? Innocent indeed! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well there you go again,
well there you go again, paul, dissenting from our Church dogma, Faith, prayer and practice, and from common decency.
It seems unbelievable that
It seems unbelievable that with all the doubts present in this case, that the Georgia Board of Pardons cannot even imagine that they are about to send someone who is innocent to die. Any doubt-and there are many in this case-should make anyone stop in their tracks in allowing this execution-no, actually murder by the state-to proceed. But it seems that along with Texas governor Rick Perry, the members do not seem to lose sleep over this injustice. We continue to pray for someone to intervene before it is too late and another innocent person is put to death in this country.
Peace and blessings
Actually, the standard is not
Actually, the standard is not "any doubt" but "beyond a reasonable doubt." Despite the evidenciary claims of Mr. Davis's lawyers and advocates, judge after judge has failed to see fit to overturn his conviction. I believe the judges are more likely to have made a fair examination of his case than his lawyers or anti-death penalty advocates. (As someone pointed out above, the jails are chock full of "innocent" people.) Much as I would like to think that the sorrowful looking man in those photos is innocent and should be freed, I fear the State of Georgia has the right of it.
set all the imprisoned free,
set all the imprisoned free, as Jesus says at the start of the Public Ministry in declaring a Year of Jubilee and bringing Good News to the Poor.
and so we avoid committing such horror
end all warmongering.
Choose Life.
With all of the objection,
With all of the objection, controversy, and argument given to this worthy cause would it not be a better world from a justice perspective, if Amnesty International, Journalists, the court system, and society in general, directed an equal amount of energy on behalf of even one child about to be aborted? Just a thought.
It is not a question of
It is not a question of guilty or innocent.
The real question is: "All other things being equal, is society the better or worse for killing prisoners?" The answer, according to the current doctrine of the church is: No! Yet, let’s be honest, doctrines of the Church come and go, one way or another. So, many Catholics stand by the old teachings that capital punishment is A-OK. Many others like me, who were once in favor of the death penalty, have reflected on the current doctrine and turned pro-life for the prisoners.
Forgive Us ... As We Forgive.
The Catholic view of life
The Catholic view of life does not often fit with the American way. Capitol punishment is one example. Yet within the Catholic church there are many who espouse the use of capitol punishment because that, according to their thinking, is what such persons deserve. It is an easy stance to take, and one that is in opposition with the Gospel, and one that has no basis in anything else except revenge. The Catholic Church is relatively (yes, there is relativism within the Church as well) opposed to capitol punishment, but not enough to campaign as ferociously as it does over the issue of abortion, where even a hint that it might be allowed in some circumstances in some insurance plans sends the Church into a frenzy. We struggle with this issue as we should because it rips at the very soul of who we are as people. But we should not relinquish the struggle. We have the means both economically and institutionally to use life without parole as a just punishment. Sadly, I think we have lost our ability and capacity as a country to address issues thoughtfully with the ability to tolerate some ambiguity.
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