The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a stay of execution for Troy Anthony Davis less than two hours before he was to be put to death by lethal injection.
Davis’ family and supporters, who for years have pressed for a new trial on claims Davis is innocent, broke into tears and song when they learned the high court had at least temporarily postponed the execution.
“I’ve been praying for this moment forever,” said Davis’s sister and most outspoken proponent, Martina Correia. Davis’ mother, Virginia Davis, said God had answered their prayers.
Just a few hours earlier, the mother and sister had given Davis what they thought could be their final good-byes at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson…
The U.S. Supreme Court’s justices are scheduled to meet Monday to decide whether to hear Davis’ appeal of a ruling issued by the Georgia Supreme Court in March. In that 4-3 decision, the state Supreme Court rejected Davis’ bid for a new trial or a court hearing to present new evidence.
In its order, the U.S. Supreme Court said if the justices decline to hear Davis’ case, “this stay shall terminate automatically.” If the court agrees to hear the case, the stay will remain in force until the high court issues its ultimate ruling, the order said.
The high court did not say when it would announce its decision whether to hear or deny Davis’ appeal.
Davis disclosed the news of his stay in a phone call to his sister and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton.
“I truly feel blessed and I know we still have work to do,” Davis said, according to Sharpton. “With God, all things are possible.”
According to Sharpton, Davis said he had already recorded his last statement, as is customary for death-row inmates before they are to be executed…
More At The Atlanta Journal Constitution
NOTE: YourBlackWorld.com would be updating readers on this story as the night progresses.
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Your Black News: Execution Of Troy Davis Postponed For At Least, A Week
Davis’ family and supporters, who for years have pressed for a new trial on claims Davis is innocent, broke into tears and song when they learned the high court had at least temporarily postponed the execution.
“I’ve been praying for this moment forever,” said Davis’s sister and most outspoken proponent, Martina Correia. Davis’ mother, Virginia Davis, said God had answered their prayers.
Just a few hours earlier, the mother and sister had given Davis what they thought could be their final good-byes at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson…
The U.S. Supreme Court’s justices are scheduled to meet Monday to decide whether to hear Davis’ appeal of a ruling issued by the Georgia Supreme Court in March. In that 4-3 decision, the state Supreme Court rejected Davis’ bid for a new trial or a court hearing to present new evidence.
In its order, the U.S. Supreme Court said if the justices decline to hear Davis’ case, “this stay shall terminate automatically.” If the court agrees to hear the case, the stay will remain in force until the high court issues its ultimate ruling, the order said.
The high court did not say when it would announce its decision whether to hear or deny Davis’ appeal.
Davis disclosed the news of his stay in a phone call to his sister and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton.
“I truly feel blessed and I know we still have work to do,” Davis said, according to Sharpton. “With God, all things are possible.”
According to Sharpton, Davis said he had already recorded his last statement, as is customary for death-row inmates before they are to be executed…
More At The Atlanta Journal Constitution
NOTE: YourBlackWorld.com would be updating readers on this story as the night progresses.
Like this: