Supreme Court puts Troy Davis appeal on hold

The U.S. Supreme Court has recessed for the summer without taking action on Georgia death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis' latest appeal, likely delaying any action on the convicted cop killer's case until the fall.

Davis, of Savannah, was convicted in 1991 for the slaying of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. Supporters say he deserves a new trial after several key trial witnesses recanted their testimony.

Davis' lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court after a lower federal court denied his request for a new trial in April. The Supreme Court won't reconvene until September.

Davis' case has become a rallying point for death penalty opponents worldwide. A petition signed by 60,000 supporters was turned into Chatham County's District Attorney's office today. His supporters also include former President Jimmy Carter, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and Pope Benedict XVI.

(Associated Press)

Davis Case On U.S. Supreme Court Docket

Whether Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis should get the chance to have his high-profile case heard by the nation’s high court-might be determined soon. The Davis-case is on the docket of the U.S. Supreme Court today. Since the Davis conviction for the killing of a Savannah police officer almost 20 years ago, several witnesses have recanted testimony. Still, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says it was "unpersuaded" by affidavits supporting Davis, and cleared the way again for execution. The Davis-case has drawn the attention of former president Jimmy Carter, the Pope, and several high profile U.S. lawmakers, among others.

NAACP Continues Push For New Davis Hearing

About 200 people were on-hand Saturday afternoon in a Savannah park, joining the NAACP in a rally to support Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis. NAACP President Ben Jealous led the rally, and later led supporters in a petition drive hoping to pressure local prosecutors to re-open the case. Davis was convicted in 1991 of the killing of police officer Mark McPhail 20 years ago. Since then, several witnesses have recanted testimony, and high profile names such as former president Jimmy Carter have called for a fresh look at the case.

The NAACP hopes to get 10,000 signatures on a petition local prosecutors to step in. But barring an late intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court, Davis could be executed next month. The nation’s high court has the Davis-case on its Thursday docket.

Explosives Found Near Carter's Route

Former President Jimmy Carter has criticized Israel's blockade during a trip to Gaza. He encouraged the territory's Hamas rulers to accept international conditions for ending its boycott of the militant Islamic group. During his visit, Hamas security found what appeared to be explosives buried in a sand dune next to Carter's route. No one was hurt, and it was unclear if the former president was being targeted. Carter spoke at a graduation for students from United Nations-run schools in Gaza City. He criticized the Gaza blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after Hamas took control. Carter's Gaza visit came at the end of a swing though Lebanon, Syria and Israel. He encouraged officials in all countries to move toward a negotiated end to the Middle East conflict.

(Associated Press)

Former Mexico President Speaks At Emory Graduation

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is set to speak at graduation ceremonies of Emory University this morning in Atlanta. He will also receive an honorary doctor-of-laws degree from the university. Fox was elected president of Mexico in 2000. Following the end of his term in 2006, he founded Centro Fox—a presidential library and museum modeled loosely on the humanitarian work of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. Fox also became president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Former Mexico Prez To Speak At Emory Graduation

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is scheduled to speak at Emory University’s spring commencement May 11th. The Atlanta school will also give Fox an honorary degree.

Fox was elected Mexico’s president in 2000. Following the end of his term in ’06, Fox founded Centro Fox. The presidential library and museum is loosely modeled on the humanitarian work of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Atlanta’s Carter Center.

Fox earned an MBA from Harvard University and also held the post of president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Habitat for Humanity Co-founder Dies

Habitat for Humanity co-founder Millard Fuller has died. He was 74.

Fuller's wife, Linda, says Fuller died about 3 a.m. Tuesday after visiting a Georgia hospital, but she says the cause of death is unknown.

Linda Fuller says her husband had complained of chest pains, headache and that his throat was tightening up. She says she took him to an emergency room in Americus in south Georgia, and he was being taken to another hospital in Albany, Ga., about 35 miles away, when he died.

Former President Jimmy Carter issued a statement calling Fuller "one of the most extraordinary people I have ever known."

After running Habitat with his wife for nearly three decades, Fuller lost control of the charity in a conflict with the organization's board.

According to the Fuller Center for Housing's website, Fuller will be buried at Koinonia Farms in Americus, Ga.

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Habitat for Humanity.

(AP)

Officials: Plains State Visitor To Remain Open

In Georgia Public Broadcasting Radio’s occasional “MoneyCrunch” series, which airs on Georgia Gazette news magazine weekday evenings at 6 P.M., we explore the effects of proposed budget cuts on communities and constituents around the state.


Duck pond in front of the Georgia Visitor Information Center at Plains. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Last week, an obscure state law saved a state welcome center in Plains from the chopping block, to help cover a $2.2 billion shortfall in the 2010 budget.


Entrance to visitor center. (Photo: Dave Bender)

But, on Monday, officials at the Georgia Department of Economic Development said The Georgia Visitor Information Center will remain open, despite a pending recommendation to slash its $186,000 budget.


Democratic State Sen. George Hooks at the Capitol. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Americus state Senator, George Hooks cites a 1977 statute that says Georgia, by law, must have a visitor center in any town whose resident becomes a president:

“'...and it shall be,' - not 'may be,' but 'shall be,' - maintained and supplied with materials," Hooks told legislators.

Those materials feature the state’s charms in hundreds of glossy tourism magazines, colorful photos and souvenirs.

A visitor’s center at Sylvania was also facing closure. The two centers are among eleven similar facilities around the state.

The GDEcD’s Alison Tyrer, however, says her office would like to keep both the Sylvania and Plains centers open:

”We are looking at all possible options for both centers. However, it’s very early in the legislative process so we would prefer not to speculate on what those options might be at this time,” Tyrer said in a written comment on the issue.

The Plains center is a replica of a rustic wooden farmhouse, surrounded by fields and piney woods. A pastoral two-lane road out front links the town to nearby Americus. The road, and the parking lot of the 31-year-old building are both empty on this Monday afternoon.


Map, pins and and "Post-its" left by guests who have visited the site. Penny Smith, who manages the facility, is behind the desk. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Manager Penny Smith sits inside and waits for tourists:

“…you don’t get bored, because it’s God’s nature… and that’s why the visitors love it so much, because you’re in another world, and when you’re here you don’t think about the outside; what’s going on outside this area - it’s just peace and harmony and such a wonderful feeling…”

She's worked here for eight years, and says the visitor center is her whole world. Smith shared her patch of Georgia with 56,000 folks who stopped by last year:

"Our visitors are 'destination visitors;' they're not just stopping to go to the restroom or get a roadmap. They're here to spend time and money and see what there is to see in the state."

Sign of town's pride. (Photo: Dave Bender)

The biggest local attraction is former President Jimmy Carter, who lives in Plains with former First Lady Rosalynn.

While a National Park Service visitors center closer to Carter’s home focuses on the 39th president, Smith says her facility offers a lot more:

"When we have the visitors captured here, we use that time to tell them about other places in Americus, down the road; make motel, hotel reservations – just service the visitor overall. They don’t do that at the park service.”

Their money's part of more than thirty-four billion tourism dollars that Georgia raked in last year. Those dollars paid for almost 250,000 jobs – among them, Smith’s and two assistants.

Plains peanut processing facility and road sign on the way to the visitor center. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Plains Mayor Boze Godwin says the 700 residents of his struggling rural town – and the vicinity - need every tourist dollar that comes through the center:

“I think it’s important not only for Plains, but for the whole county because they do refer people to businesses here. In the past we had a tog shop here, and that closed – but they would send people to that to buy clothes – so they helped the whole area, not just Plains … and they do a great job.”

Hooks, Godwin and Smith hope that statute will be enough to keep the visitor center open to greet the next busload of tourists.

Click here for more GPB news coverage of the state budget.

Lawmaker: Ga. Can't Close Carter Visitor Center

(National Park Service)

Georgia economic development officials were left red-faced as a veteran state lawmaker said the department's plans to shutter a visitor center in former President Jimmy Carter's hometown of Plains violated state law.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development's budget plan eliminated $186,407 for the visitor center as part of agency budget cuts.

But at a budget hearing Thursday at the state Capitol, state Sen. George Hooks, a Democrat from Americus, said Georgia law dating from 1977 requires the state to "construct, operate and maintain a tourist center" near the home of any Georgian elected president.

Economic Development Commissioner Ken Stewart said he was not aware of the law and said "we will certainly go look at our options."

(AP)

Click here for more GPB coverage about budget cutting statewide.

Georgians Ready for Inauguration Festivities

Thousands of Georgians have made the trek to Washington D.C. to take-in today’s Inauguration events. Last night, about a thousand people attended a ball put on by the Georgia State Society.

Among some Georgia-connected names in D.C. today--the Reverand Joseph Lowery. He will deliver the benediction at today's Inauguration. Lowery is the co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and retired pastor of Atlanta’s Cascade United Methodist Church.

Across Georgia, there will be viewing parties and events for the Inauguration. Those include in Plains. Some of the people who once helped Jimmy Carter win the nation's highest office are gathering in Carter's hometown. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is hosting a special Inaugural Day event at the Plains High School Museum/Visitor Center.

Complete Inauguration coverage can be heard on the Georgia Public Broadcasting radio network. You can also get updates anytime by going to our website: gpb.org

Griffin Bell Memorial Today in Atlanta

Hundreds of friends and numerous political leaders are expected to gather this morning for a memorial service in Atlanta, remembering former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell. President Jimmy Carter will headline the politicos, a longtime friend of Bell’s and Carter’s pick for Attorney General in 1976. Bell also served for over a decade as a federal judge with important contributions to desegregation of schools in the South. He was also a prominent attorney for decades. Today’s memorial follows Bell’s funeral two days ago in Americus.

Funeral for Griffin Bell Draws 500

Today 500 friends and family gathered under sunny skies at the graveside of Griffin B. Bell, the former U.S. attorney general who died on Monday. Bell was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus in southwest Georgia. He was for decades one of Atlanta's most prominent attorneys and served as the nation's top lawyer for his longtime friend Jimmy Carter for 2 1/2 years.

(Associated Press)

Flags lowered to honor Griffin Bell

Governor Sonny Perdue has ordered flags on state buildings to half staff in memory of Griffin Bell. Bell died yesterday of complications from cancer. He served as a federal judge in Georgia, as Jimmy Carter's U.S. Attorney General, and as an advisor to state and national leaders. Flags will fly at half-staff tomorrow on the day of his funeral, which will be held in Americus in southwest Georgia.

Perdue: Bell 'A Respected Counselor'

Griffin Bell. (USG)

Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement following the death of former U.S. Attorney-General Griffin Bell:

“Mary and I are saddened to hear of the passing of one of our nation’s greatest public servants and one of Georgia’s most accomplished native sons, Judge Griffin Bell. As a respected counselor to political leaders on both sides of the political spectrum, Griffin Bell’s impact on our state and nation spanned multiple generations. He had a unique ability to explain complex legal matters plainly and to bring people together over even the most contentious of issues.

"On a personal note, I am grateful for the counsel he provided to me during my time as Governor. Given his ability to hone in on the central issue in complicated legal proceedings, I was not surprised to discover that in addition to his legal talent, he had one of the best shots of any lawyer I knew. The people of Georgia celebrate the life of this extraordinary man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Bell’s family has scheduled a graveside service in his hometown of Americus.

Griffin Bell III says the graveside service for his grandfather will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery at 11 a.m. Wednesday and will be open to the public.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta. It also will be open to the public.

Bell died of kidney failure on Monday at the age of 90. He was for decades one of Atlanta's most prominent attorneys and served as U.S. attorney general for his longtime friend Jimmy Carter for 2 1/2 years.

In addition to his grandson, Bell is survived by his wife, Nancy Kinnebrew, and a son, Griffin B. Bell Jr., both of Atlanta, granddaughter Katherine Bell McClure and five great grandchildren.

Click here for more GPB News reports about Griffin Bell.

Fmr. Carter A.G. Griffin Bell Dies

Jimmy Carter's attorney general, Griffin B. Bell, has died in Atlanta hospital at 90.

Bell died at 9:40 a.m. Monday, said Les Zucke, a spokesman for Atlanta law firm King & Spalding.

Former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell was being treated at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta for complications due to pancreatic cancer.

Former President Jimmy Carter said he was "deeply saddened" by Bell's death and called him a "trusted and enduring public figure."

Katherine Bell McClure said her 90-year-old grandfather had also been experiencing kidney failure and pneumonia. Bell had battled kidney disease for years and was recently diagnosed with cancer. McClure said Bell was admitted to a hospital Monday in his hometown of Americus and by midweek was moved to Piedmont.

Carter's choice of Bell, a longtime friend, as attorney general was considered the most controversial of his Cabinet picks after the 1976 election.

At the time, the NAACP and other civil rights groups complained Bell, as a federal judge, didn't force Southern schools to integrate quickly enough. But Carter called Bell's civil rights record superb, and many black Georgians - including U.N. ambassador designate Andrew Young - came forward to support him.

Bell served just 2 1/2 years at the Justice Department, returning to his Atlanta law firm. But Bell remained a key adviser to Carter.

(AP)

Former AG Griffin Bell In Atlanta Hospital

Former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell is being treated at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta for complications due to pancreatic cancer.

Katherine Bell McClure says her 90-year-old grandfather is also experiencing kidney failure and pneumonia. His condition Sunday was not immediately available.

Bell has battled kidney disease for years and was recently diagnosed with cancer. McClure says Bell was admitted to a hospital Monday in his hometown of Americus and by midweek was moved to Piedmont.

McClure says his hospital room was filled Saturday with family members and his minister. A leading Georgia attorney, Bell served as attorney general under President Jimmy Carter.

(AP)

Carter Center urges end to Gaza violence

The Carter Center is urging both sides to cease violence in and around Gaza, saying it threatens peace talks and Israel's long-term security.

The center, founded by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife - which has offices in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank – said Wednesday that Israel must cease attacks endangering civilians in the densely populated territory and Hamas leaders must halt rocket attacks against Israel.

The Atlanta-based Carter Center released a statement saying Israel has a right to protect its citizens but "these operations are disproportionate and detrimental to the ongoing peace efforts."

It said bombing "contributes to the further radicalization of the Palestinian population and undermines Israel's long-term security interests.

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about the Carter Center.

Weekend peanut festival gears up

The 12th Annual Plains Peanut Festival kicks off this Saturday. Georgia is the nation's leading peanut producer and it's the official state crop. The state's most famous peanut farmer and Plains native, Jimmy Carter, is scheduled to attend the festival with his wife Roselyn. Visitors will be able to learn more information about the southwest Georgia peanut industry in the nearby Plains Community Center. The festival also will feature a parade on Main Street at 11 a.m.

Sharpton prays with Ga. inmate facing execution

Georgia death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis, who faces lethal injection Tuesday for the 1989 murder of a Savannah police officer, prayed with New York civil rights activist Al Sharpton, the latest well-known figure appealing to spare his life.

Sharpton said Davis, 39, was "surprisingly upbeat" Saturday night after the two prayed together at the Jackson prison. Davis has claimed he is innocent in the shooting death of officer Mark Allen MacPhail, who was killed on Aug. 19, 1989.

Sharpton spent about 35 minutes with Davis, and said by phone that the death-row inmate reflected on how he became a murder suspect.

"He said he got in with the wrong crowd and thought one of the guys he was hanging with killed" MacPhail, Sharpton said. "He said young people should be careful who they hang around."

Pardons and Parole Board spokeswoman Scheree Lipscomb said she does not expect any last-minute clemency for Davis, whose supporters include former President Jimmy Carter. The former president asked the board Friday for a stay of execution.

The slain officer's mother, Anneliese MacPhail, 74, of Columbus, said she is "disgusted" by the outpouring of support for Davis and said she had no doubt Davis is guilty.

"I hope this is over Tuesday and I can have some peace," she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a story Sunday.

She said three of her children will attend the execution. She will not.

A rally for Davis by Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and the NAACP is planned Monday in front of the State Capitol.

Since Davis' 1991 trial, several key witnesses have recanted their testimony.

Witness testimony formed the core of the prosecution's case because physical evidence was scant: no murder weapon, no fingerprints, no DNA.

In a statement Friday, Carter said he asked the parole board to reconsider the case, saying it "illustrates the deep flaws in the application of the death penalty in this country."

Carter wrote that "executing Troy Davis without a real examination of potentially exonerating evidence risks taking the life of an innocent man and would be a grave miscarriage of justice."

The case has attracted worldwide attention, with calls to stop his execution from Pope Benedict XVI, Amnesty International and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Desmond Tutu. Rallies have been held as far away as Paris.

(The Associated Press)

Carter adds name to call for Davis clemency

Emergency stays of execution have been filed on behalf of death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis. And, another name has been added to the list of those calling for a review of the case. The nation’s highest court is scheduled to consider a request to halt Davis’ execution at their first conference on Sept. 29. A similar request for stay has been filed with Georgia’s top court. Davis is scheduled to die by lethal injection this coming Tuesday for the 1989 shooting death of an off-duty Savannah police officer. The state of Georgia had petitioned both courts not to consider the case. The case has attracted international attention. Earlier today former President Jimmy Carter issued a statement urging the Georgia and Pardons and parole board to reverse its decision to deny clemency to Davis. Carter says the case shows deep flaws in the application of the death penalty in this country. Davis’s lawyers have tried to spare his life by arguing Davis needs a new trial because 7 of the 9 witnesses in the original trial have since recanted their testimony.