Rest in Peace: Troy Davis

Far away in Georgia USA, yesterday a man was executed by lethal injection for a murder that was committed in 1989. That man was Troy Davis. Though I found out about the case 2 hours prior to his execution, I felt a sense of panic and anxiety given the background and history of the case.

Here are the essential facts. Troy was arrested, convicted and sentenced to death; for the murder of an off-duty cop in 1989. Since then serious doubts have been raised about the basic facts of the case; keeping Troy Davis' life hanging in balance for almost 20 years. The hollywoodesque manner in which the case has swung dramatically; his execution had been stayed at three earlier occasions, has finally ended in the death of the convicted man, shattering the hopes for a miracle.

The case had caught the imagination of a lot of people, with the Pope, Desmond Tutu, ex US president Jimmy Carter and many other thousands, coming out in support of a reinvestigation. Even the US Supreme Court had inquired about finding new evidence in the case to make sure justice was being done, both to the victim's and convict's families. At one occasion the court stayed the decision to execute Troy two hours prior to the procedure. There were no such reprieves this time around.

The reason I felt compelled to write about this case is primarily because of the unease I felt about watching a man die when so much doubt existed regarding his guilt/innocence. A lot of people might argue that with the case having gone through all the legal motions, it was the right thing to do. I cannot disagree more. How can any legal system condemn a person's life when substantial doubt exists on either innocence or guilt. The courts in the case put the onus of proving innocence on Troy Davis; substantiating their lack of conviction about his guilt. The merits of the case can and will be discussed endlessly, the truth of the matter is that a person has been robbed of his life.

God forbid, if ever Troy Davis is proved to be innocent, everybody who was convinced that he committed the murder will have blood on their hands. And it will too damn late to even talk about justice.