The Troy Davis Trial
Troy Anthony Davis was convicted of and executed for the August 19, 1989, murder of police officer Mark MacPhail in Savannah, Georgia.
The Shooting of Michael Cooper
The evening of August 18, 1989, Davis attended a pool party in Savannah, Georgia. He left the party with his friend, Daryl Collins. Shortly after, occupants of a passing car began to yell obscenities to the men. A bullet was fired into the passing car and Michael Cooper, a passenger, was struck in the jaw. Davis and Collins fled the scene and went to a pool har near by.
The Beating of Larry Young and the Shooting of Mark MacPhail
Later in the evening of August 18, 1989, Davis and Collins went to a parking lot of a Burger King not far from the pool hall. There, they encountered a man arguing with a homeless man, Larry Young, over alcohol. At 1:15 am, off-duty officer Mark MacPhail, who was working security detail at the time, attempted to intervene in the altercation of Young in the parking lot. The following events are uncertain, however shots were fired from a .38-caliber pistol. MacPhail was shot once through the heart and once in the face. Witnesses claim that a man in a white shirt had pistol-whipped Young and then shot MacPhail.
Witness Sylvester "Redd" Coles, who was in the original altercation with Larry Young, told Savannah Police that he saw Davis with the .38-caliber weapon and claimed Davis also assaulted Young. Police also claimed to have searched Davis' home and found a pair of Davis' shorts in the clothes dryer, reportedly stained with blood. On August 23, 1989, Davis surrendered himself to police and was charged with the murder of MacPhail.
Trial and Conviction
On November 15, 1989, a grand jury indicted Davis for the murder of MacPhail, the assault of Young, and the shooting of Michael Cooper. On April 1990, Davis pleaded not guilty. Davis was brought to trial in August 1991. According to the Savannah Morning News, the prosecution claimed that "Davis had shot Cooper in Cloverdale, then met up with Coles at a pool hall, pistol-whipped the homeless man Larry Young in the parking lot and then killed Mark MacPhail." The defense claimed "Davis denied shooting Cooper and denied shooting MacPhail. Davis testified to having seen Coles assault Young, and Davis said that he had fled the scene before any shots were fired and, therefore, did not know who had shot MacPhail."
Verdict and Sentencing
On August 28, 1991, the jury found Davis guilty of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. On August 30, 1991, the jury recommended the death penalty and Davis was sentenced to death.
The following videos produced by Amnesty International USA go into detail about the doubts that remain about Davis' guilt.
Part One: The Investigation
This video gives a thorough explanation of the case as well as the flaws during the investigation process.
The Shooting of Michael Cooper
The evening of August 18, 1989, Davis attended a pool party in Savannah, Georgia. He left the party with his friend, Daryl Collins. Shortly after, occupants of a passing car began to yell obscenities to the men. A bullet was fired into the passing car and Michael Cooper, a passenger, was struck in the jaw. Davis and Collins fled the scene and went to a pool har near by.
The Beating of Larry Young and the Shooting of Mark MacPhail
Later in the evening of August 18, 1989, Davis and Collins went to a parking lot of a Burger King not far from the pool hall. There, they encountered a man arguing with a homeless man, Larry Young, over alcohol. At 1:15 am, off-duty officer Mark MacPhail, who was working security detail at the time, attempted to intervene in the altercation of Young in the parking lot. The following events are uncertain, however shots were fired from a .38-caliber pistol. MacPhail was shot once through the heart and once in the face. Witnesses claim that a man in a white shirt had pistol-whipped Young and then shot MacPhail.
Witness Sylvester "Redd" Coles, who was in the original altercation with Larry Young, told Savannah Police that he saw Davis with the .38-caliber weapon and claimed Davis also assaulted Young. Police also claimed to have searched Davis' home and found a pair of Davis' shorts in the clothes dryer, reportedly stained with blood. On August 23, 1989, Davis surrendered himself to police and was charged with the murder of MacPhail.
Trial and Conviction
On November 15, 1989, a grand jury indicted Davis for the murder of MacPhail, the assault of Young, and the shooting of Michael Cooper. On April 1990, Davis pleaded not guilty. Davis was brought to trial in August 1991. According to the Savannah Morning News, the prosecution claimed that "Davis had shot Cooper in Cloverdale, then met up with Coles at a pool hall, pistol-whipped the homeless man Larry Young in the parking lot and then killed Mark MacPhail." The defense claimed "Davis denied shooting Cooper and denied shooting MacPhail. Davis testified to having seen Coles assault Young, and Davis said that he had fled the scene before any shots were fired and, therefore, did not know who had shot MacPhail."
Verdict and Sentencing
On August 28, 1991, the jury found Davis guilty of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. On August 30, 1991, the jury recommended the death penalty and Davis was sentenced to death.
The following videos produced by Amnesty International USA go into detail about the doubts that remain about Davis' guilt.
Part One: The Investigation
This video gives a thorough explanation of the case as well as the flaws during the investigation process.
Part Two: A Case Unraveled
This video examines how the evidence in his case has completely fallen apart.
This video examines how the evidence in his case has completely fallen apart.
Part Three: Proving Innocence
This video examines how the legal system makes it extremely hard to prove one's innocence.
This video examines how the legal system makes it extremely hard to prove one's innocence.
Part Four: Clemency
This video explains what clemency is and why it is appropriate for Davis' case.
This video explains what clemency is and why it is appropriate for Davis' case.