Troy Davis Execution: Last Words before Lethal...

The Troy Davis execution took place Wednesday, 11:08 PM. Just before the GA inmate was put to death by lethal injection, his last words were to officer Mark MacPhail's family. What did he say to them?

As he lay strapped to the gurney that would double as his deathbed, Davis reaffirmed his innocence in the killing of the off-duty officer in 1989.

While some death row inmates have made last-minute guilty pleas, hoping for leniency or closure, Troy Davis did no such thing.

According to ABC News, with just moments before the lethal injection solution would stop the condemned man's heart, he lifted his head and addressed the dead officer's family:

I'd like to address the MacPhail family. Let you know, despite the situation you are in, I'm not the one who personally killed your son, your father, your brother. I am innocent.

Nowhere else has this denial of involvement in the killing resonated than with the alleged seven witnesses who recanted their testimonies. The Troy Davis execution by lethal injection will probably set a precedent in the judicial system for future capital punishment cases.

One or two witnesses: no big deal. However, when there is an overwhelming number (seven of nine), this should be enough for "reasonable doubt" to take a closer look. It was not.

The incident that happened that night is not my fault. I did not have a gun. All I can ask... is that you look deeper into this case so that you really can finally see the truth.

He finally asked family and friends to keep searching for justice and the killer of officer Mark MacPhail. Finally, his very last words were to the prison officials preparing to carry out the order of execution by lethal injection. He asked God to have "mercy on their souls."

Then, at 11:08 PM, inmate Troy Anthony Davis was dead. Was it a victory for capital punishment and the death penalty in the United States? Or did the system claim the life of another victim in the Troy Davis execution?

Comments: 13

Heather - child of God, C. Sep 22, 2011, 2:00am UTC

Sad they couldn't have tried to look at his case again. If he could have passed a polygraph test, I would have thought that could be enough to take a second look. It's sad when witnesses recant and it looks like the whole case fell apart and they still went forward with it. He denied it until the end... and some how you would think he would have given it up if he was guilty... as some do.

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Bryan Bales Sep 22, 2011, 2:10am UTC

I do not oppose the death penalty. that said I do however oppose it being used in cases that there is a reasonable doubt of any size. Let the guilty be executed and the unknown given the justice they should legally get. I did not follow this case so I dont know all the facts but judging from Mr. Bechler's article there was more than enough reasonable doubt to warrant a stay of execution, reopening of the case, and an investigation into why the witnesses in such huge numbers recanted their testimony.

August Lady Sep 22, 2011, 2:46am UTC

There were already a few stays in this case (I believe 4), & it's been 20 years. Sad that even the Pope didn't have enough power to stop this!

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wendy st. john-devereaux Sep 22, 2011, 8:17am UTC

it is sad that this man was not allowed a polygraph
i have been following this case, and it seems to me that he may have been innocent....i do know that, in illinois and other states, dna and other evidence have show the innocence of many people on death row....

this certainly suggests that the death penalty should be eliminated.

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Nichelle Mitchem Sep 22, 2011, 9:29am UTC

In a flawed criminal justice system, the death penalty must be abolished. People all around the world are weeping about this miscarriage of justice. Great post!

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Ryan Reid Sep 22, 2011, 9:32am UTC

I believe the death penalty has its place. This case however was not it.

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Dan H. Sep 22, 2011, 10:10am UTC

Is causing death ever a victory?

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Lori F. Sep 22, 2011, 2:56pm UTC

There was way too much reasonable doubt in my opinion. This execution should not have happened.

What really got me was when 7 out of the 9 witness' that helped convict him recanted the DA said these people werent reliable yet they were reliable enough to convict him.

Something just isnt right here.

Bryan Bales Sep 22, 2011, 4:58pm UTC

I agree

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Brad Bechler Sep 22, 2011, 11:40pm UTC

Gather Opinion: Was the Execution of Troy Davis Fair or a Modern Day Lynching

Lori F. Sep 23, 2011, 10:42am UTC

Neither. I would say huge miscarriage of justice but I dont see it as either the equivelent of fair or a lynching.

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Troy Davis Execution: Last Words before Lethal Injection

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