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NAN delivered the following letter to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles in support of Troy Davis

Sep 17, 2011

Troy Davis Ltr. to Parole Board

State Board of Pardons and Paroles
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE
Suite 458, Balcony Level, East Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4909

Dear State Board of Pardons and Paroles:

National Action Network urges you to use your authority to commute the death sentence of Troy Davis. While some may disagree over the significance of the additional evidence of innocence, the fact remains that doubt has been raised and therefore,Troy Davis, should not be put to death.

The case against Troy consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a role in more than 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing. Since then, all but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony . Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coercedby police into testifying or signing statements against him.

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester “Red” Coles,the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom thereis new evidence implicating him asthe gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

In this extraordinary case,we urge you to act in the interests of justice to ensure that Troy Davis’death sentenceis not carriedout. True leadership requires courageous action.We strongly urge you to demonstrate such leadership and see to it that the death sentence of Troy Davis is commuted. We thank you for your attention to this extremely serious matter.

Sincerely,

Reverend Al Sharpton
President & Founder

 

Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson
Chairman of the Board

 

Tamika D. Mallory
National Executive Director

 

Tyleis Speight
Southeast Regional Director