I think there should be prosecutions, but for the people that pressured them to testify a certain way, not for people that are afraid of the guys with guns.

Can't argue with that.

This doesn't make logical sense. If they were afraid in 1991 of the big bad boogeyman dirty cop types, why weren't they afraid in 2008? Can you point to a specific change that suddenly made these people feel secure in writing written statements? I assume the change occurred at the exact moment Amnesty International or The Innocence Project or possibly Troy Davis' own counsel showed up providing some green incentive for these people to change their minds.

If these people can point to specific instances of police brutality/harassment or coercion that forced them to place another man's life in jeopardy when they were aware he was clearly innocent, I'd like to see it. I'd also love to know how all 7 of these people suddenly decided to recant in the same 4-6 month timeframe.

I think this is much more of an "Oppressed black man in a black community kills a white cop" political hotbed type story than an "Innocent man put to death" story.

I agree with DblBarrelJ.
........................................
If these eyewitnesses lied on the stand and he ends up being put to death.
They will have a lot to answer to when they meet their maker.

Wait, you seriously think those people are getting bribed to recant? Bribed by like respected international groups?

I mean, the chain of events where the Innocence Project decides this guy is innocent because of witnesses recanting and then bribes the witnesses to recant has a minor plot hole timeline-wise.

No one is stating that the board of directors from Amnesty International flew down on the AI Leerjet and paid these people off. I'm talking about much smaller backroom deals initiated by local activist types who want to build a career in the Non-Profits.


LOLZ at believing the innocence project is concerned about.... Well innocence.

TIP is an anti-Capitol punishment group, they've just found a different tactic, which is actually a very logically effective method, of stopping executions.

It's quite simple actually. If I were to murder you today, then go through the trial process, then sit in prison for over 20 years, then we attempt to question everything about the trial, start wanting to requestion witnesses, start looking at evidence that may have been lost or damaged in the past 20 years, then start hunting down cops who have long since retired, witnesses who are dead, fried from years of drug and alcohol abuse etc, then I can assure you I'm going to look much better in my appeal than in my actual trial. That is what TIP does, and does well.

I'm not commenting on this case because I don't know anything about it (not like that's stopped me before right?), but it's horrifying to me that the US executes people based on convictions brought down by the ****ing ******s who populate juries

No need to hope, just don't kill people. If you find out later then release the guy. EZ game.

Maybe if eyewitness testimony is as easily swayed as you seem to think it is, we shouldn't depend on it death penalty cases.

If you aren't competent enough to hold on to capital evidence when you know tons of appeals are coming, maybe you shouldn't be killing folks in your shocky chair.

I mean, basically you're arguing that these drug addict witnesses offer awesome testimony in their prime, but as they age, they can no longer be trusted. Your arguments are fairly bizarre.

How is that possible if he gets executed?

I just said tha.... oh wait, **** I can see how you misinterpreted that. I was referring to the government, not people. Mi mal

Good thing we have an appeals process and Habeas Corpus.

The gov't provides the avenue. They legislate the laws. Note that not all states have the death penalty. So, yeah, they do kinda have a say in it. They can also issue give clemency.

b

Probably the same reason it's tough to charge investigators with coercion or misconduct.

b

Snitch testimony says hi.

b

Because the reality of the result of their decision is much more real the closer it gets to being carried out. Psychologically, it makes very good sense.

The evidence isn't exactly overwhelming.

b

LOL wow

This is laughable.

I'm guessing you've never really studied or looked into the exonerations. I'm also guessing you've never really looked at the research behind the different stages of the criminal justice system. But something tells me if you were caught up in a wrongful conviction you'd have your nose so far up the TIP's ass we'd only see your shoulders.

What's wrong with someone going through a process with a fined toothed comb when someone's life is on the line? I'm guessing you really don't know the inner workings of the process as a whole, somehow thinking the defense is on equal footing as the prosecution resource-wise. Here's something to ponder: For every innocent you execute for heinous crimes, the real person is still out there. Feel safer?

b

LOL at the idea that The Innocence Project is going around bribing witnesses to recant, especially when said witness could do quite well for themselves by ratting out TIP.

The prosecution pays for witnesses all the time without fear of any consequence. Jailhouse snitches, forensics quacks, ...

Wow this thread took a turn for the crazy.

dblbarrel, i dunno why you love executing people so much, but there is a point you need to step back and reassess what you are defending, how, and why. You are just making **** up to create some conspiracy theory bull**** to explain away how none profit groups are finding innocent people about to be executed rather than wondering if its possible they actually are innocent. Thats just sad, i pity you.

I read a short version of it and it said they were coerced by the police. It could be that in 2011 the people threatening them arr dead or not in power. It could be that someone was able to show them how to protect themselves from the police or offered them the means to live away from the police in question.

That's what I said, then everyone claims I'm some conspiratard.

It's also possible that the things/people that scared the **** out of you 20 years ago don't seem so scary any more.

Denied clemency.

Another one bites the dust.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE&ob=av2e