27 former judges and prosecutors filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the appeal of death row inmate Troy Davis to avoid execution. Among those who signed onto the brief Wednesday are former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson and ex-Congressman Bob Barr, once U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
Davis' attorneys have asked the high court to send his case back to a federal judge for a hearing. They say that to execute him without a full and fair hearing on his claims of innocence would be unconstitutional.
Davis was sentenced to die for the 1989 slaying of Mark MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah police officer. Seven of nine key witnesses against Davis have recanted their testimony.
Davis' attorneys have asked the high court to send his case back to a federal judge for a hearing. They say that to execute him without a full and fair hearing on his claims of innocence would be unconstitutional.
Davis was sentenced to die for the 1989 slaying of Mark MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah police officer. Seven of nine key witnesses against Davis have recanted their testimony.
