Troy Davis was executed last night. Convicted for murdering a police officer in Savannah in 1989. I wasn't on the jury, I didn't hear all of the evidence, and I'm not going to speculate over his guilt or innocence. However, multiple witnesses recanting their testimony (some of them alleging police intimidation) make me think a retrial was in order. I'm not against the death penalty, but when there was this much doubt cast on the prior sentencing, I don't think it was justice to take his life without examining the facts.
Looking through FB, there are some very cavalier attitudes about this case. "He was convicted by a jury, he killed a cop, he deserves it!" People saying "you hopped on the bandwagon, you didn't care before." As though I'm not allowed to be outraged by an execution where there seems to be reasonable doubt now? I saw Casey Anthony walk away scott free a few months ago, and this man can't get a retrial in light of everything the witnesses said?
What really took the cake for me was an exchange a friend's younger brother and some of his friends had. Said individual is of mixed white and Hispanic parentage, and feels because of this that throwing around the n word is ok. I thought of his immediately when I saw this article a few days ago about youth today indiscriminately throwing out slurs online. I present this unedited exchange because it pissed me off. I'll edit out last names just for the sake of being polite.
Gavin A P: Is Troy Davis a football player or something?
(Note: someone "liked" this status)
Imani T: He was a man the was convicted of killing a cop though evidence supported otherwise.
Gavin A P: Oh, you mean the guy you didn't know about until JUST now?
Josh G: Evidence supported he did it. You guys are seriously stupid as hell.
Josh G: Not even trolling. This is the dumbest Internet fad ever
Gavin A P: He just wanted to listen to Body Count in private. :(
Josh G: Hehe
Imani T: Actually no. I've known about this for a while. Its always been a big topic in my family. And the evidence doesn't support it. No weapon, no physical evidence.
Gavin A P: Of course, when confronted with a remark that includes you in the bandwagon, you're going to say you've known about it for a while. My question is: WHO GIVES A FUCK?! Are you going to kill a cop? Are you going to be anywhere near a cop killing? This has no bearing on yours, or anyone else's life. GTFO.
Josh G: You're the reason people like oj and Casey Anthony get away with murder. His fingerprints were on multiple things used to kill. He lied multiple times and was given many chances to tell the truth. He sucks, he obviously did it. It's clear as day he did it. Accept it and move on
Gavin A P: FREE BOOSIE
Imani T: Ha thanks for thinking so highy of me Gavin. I do actually care. Its a civil rights thing and I'm sorry if you don't get it. 7 people recanted their statesments, statements that ultimately led to his conviction. And as far as OJ and casey, I think they both are without guilty. And the evidence with them backs it up.. so don't make assumptions. and fuck boosie. He's guilty as shit.
Josh G: Yeah but Casey Anthony is white
Gavin A P: How is this civil rights related in the least?! Get the fuck out of here with the whole "racist" bullshit. HE KILLED A FUCKING COP. With someone whose father went to the police academy, such as myself, someone who wants to be a cop, such as myself, I don't give a fuck if he was blue, he's a fucking faggot who deserved that needle in his fucking arm.
Imani T: You're point? Sorry there was a typo. I think casey and oj are without a doubt guily.
Thomas T: What about claims of police pressure and lying under oath? Could he have done it? Yes and no, neither party had enough to prove/disprove anything. He could have just stayed in jail but killing with out undisputed facts is inherently a breaking of a civil right. But, yes it is bandwagony at the moment, but at the end of it civil rights were broken today which is annoying, but I have a longer reason for that.
Imani T: Your*
Josh G: Well it's kinda good they got rid of him that's one less black person, no offense but you guys are kinda over populating America right now
Gavin A P: Free Gucci
Imani T: Gavin, its not race! I've never been one to claim any kind of race. There wasn't enough to prove guilt or innocence. That's the civil rights part.
Gavin A P: What's more humane, killing someone instantaneously, or letting then rot in prison?
Daniel T: I do not consider this to be a race( a now all but obsolete term outside of common vernacular) issue in the slightest, while I think that there should have been an investigation into the claims of police pressure/perjury before executing the man. However, to insinuate that this was done simply because he was an African American is complete bullshit and ignorant.
Gavin A P: Back to my original point: you're not going to change it. Who gives a fuck, blah blah blah
Imani T: And I agree with Daniel. I never said it was race related. Maybe its assumed because I'm black I automatically play the race card but that's not the case. Things should have been investigated farther.
Gavin A P: FREE CANDY
Thomas T: Civil rights as in the rights we have as in civilians and citizens. They ignored a law set forth hundreds of years ago. The race thing doesn't matter, but of course people made it that way.
Gavin A P: FREE INTERNET/CABLE PACKAGE WITH COMCAST
Thomas T: Yell your way out.
Gavin A P: Bleed it out, dig it deeper just to show you the way
Josh G: I like how the guy defending him is black
Thomas T: Also, Troy Davis is a football player in the Cfl.
Josh G: Leroy davis
