THE EXECUTION OF TROY DAVIS
The tragic execution of an innocent Black man in Georgia
Troy Davis was sentenced to death in Georgia in 1989 for the killing of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail. Troy, a young Black man, was convicted based on the testimony of nine non-police witnesses at trial, seven of whom ended up recanting their false, coerced testimony. No DNA evidence nor any murder weapon were ever tied to the crime.
There was a serious and convincing case of innocence that grabbed the world’s attention, which resulted in a roller-coaster of emotion as the state came within 90 minutes of executing Troy in 2008, and then successfully executing him in 2011 despite so much doubt and a massive international campaign.
The following photos tell the story of what transpired outside the prison in Georgia on the nights of Troy's 2008 and 2011 execution dates.
To read Scott's personal reflection written about this experience, visit the essay page.
THE EXECUTION OF TROY DAVIS
The tragic execution of an innocent Black man in Georgia
Troy Davis was sentenced to death in Georgia in 1989 for the killing of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail, Sr.
Troy, a young Black man, was convicted based on the testimony of nine non-police witnesses at trial, seven of whom ended up recanting their false, coerced testimony. No DNA evidence nor any murder weapon were ever tied to the crime.
There was a serious and convincing case of innocence that grabbed the world’s attention, which resulted in a roller-coaster of emotion as the state came within 90 minutes of executing Troy in 2008, and then successfully executing him in 2011 despite so much doubt and a massive international campaign.
The following photos tell the story of what transpired outside the prison in Georgia on the nights of Troy's 2008 and 2011 execution dates.
To read Scott's personal reflection written about this experience, visit this essay page.
The following photos are from the 2008 execution date, in which Troy was spared death from a Supreme Court decision 90 minutes beforehand.
Hover over a photo for caption info. Clicking on any photo will open the images in a navigable gallery with captions shown.
The following photos are from the 2008 execution date, in which Troy was spared death from a Supreme Court decision 90 minutes beforehand.
Clicking on any photo will open the images in a navigable gallery with captions shown.
Troy's sister, Martina Davis Correia, continues campaigning for her brother's innocence while preparing to drive to the meeting spot across from the prison, taking calls from the media.
Family, supporters and attorneys of Troy gather in a fast food restaurant across from the prison, waiting on any last minute legal updates before heading to the prison grounds for the vigil.
In a quiet corner of the fast food restaurant across from the prison, Virginia Davis, Troy's mother, speaks by phone to her son on death row a little more than two hours before his scheduled execution.
Rev. Al Sharpton (right) talks to his driver as the vehicle carrying with Troy's family approaches the prison police check point. Sharpton was to serve as Troy's spiritual advisor, but was denied by the warden.
The entrance to the Georgia Diagnostic Prison in Jackson, which houses the state's execution facilities and death row.
Troy's sister, Martina, is tagged with a wristband as a protester who must stay in the designated outside protest area because the warden did not allow family to witness the execution on the inside.
Outside the prison, Troy's mother, Virginia (left) is comforted by a friend as the crowd nervously waits to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Rev. Al Sharpton (center) beams a smile at Troy's mother while Troy's sister (right) wipes away tears of relief as the family reacts to hearing that the U.S. Supreme Court has ordered a stay of execution 90 minutes before it was to be carried out.
Twenty minutes after the news of the stayed execution, Martina, Troy's sister, receives a phone call from Troy, kissing the phone in joy.
One of Troy's attorneys, James Ewart, breathes a sigh of relief upon exiting the prison, where he was to have witnessed Troy's execution in less than one hour.
Troy's mother, Virginia, gives a prayer of thanks for the good news with supporter Rev. Lynn Hopkins.
Family and supporters of Troy celebrate the victory in a fast food restaurant parking lot across from the prison.
The following photos are from the 2011 execution date, in which Troy Davis was finally killed by the state.
Hover over a photo for caption info. Clicking on any photo will open the images in a navigable gallery with captions shown.
The following photos are from the 2011 execution date, in which Troy Davis was finally killed by the state.
Hover over a photo for caption info. Clicking on any photo will open the images in a navigable gallery with captions shown.
At 11:08 pm, at the exact minute that Troy Davis was executed, Martina looks toward the prison from her wheelchair, while Laura Moye of Amnesty International, collects the name and contact information of Monica Barrow, a young student from California, who wants to get more involved. In this moment, Martina - a tireless organizer and advocate - introduced Monica and Laura in an effort to keep her work against the death penalty alive - despite knowing her brother was being killed at that moment.
Outside the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles hearing while Troy's clemency petition is considered two days before his scheduled execution.
A 24-hour vigil outside the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles hearing, with media trucks in the distance covering the hope that the Board may grant Troy clemency - two days before his scheduled execution.
Rev. Raphael Warnock, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, addresses the press at the church in response to the Board's denial of a pardon earlier in the day.
A march in downtown Atlanta approaches the Capitol building to join in a protest calling on the Governor to take action - held 24-hours before Troy's scheduled execution.
Protestors arrive at the Capitol building in Atlanta to call on the Governor to take action - 24-hours before Troy's scheduled execution.
Georgia NAACP President Edward Dubose speaks at the protest outside the Capitol building in Atlanta.
On the day of the execution, Larry Cox, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, gathers his thoughts in a church before a final press conference.
Troy's family address the media at the final press conference before the execution. Martina, sister of Troy, rises from her wheelchair to stand up for her brother, supported by her son De'Jaun.
The entrance to the Georgia Diagnostic Prison where death row and the execution facilities are located.
Activists from around the state arrive by bus to the protest area across from the prison, about two and one-half hours before the 7:00 pm scheduled execution.
With hundreds of protestors quickly descending on the area, armed SWAT team members move in to disperse a gathering crowd.
With hundreds of protestors quickly descending on the area, armed SWAT team members move in to disperse a gathering crowd.
Hands on hips, a woman stands her ground while SWAT team members attempt to disperse a gathering crowd.
A woman confronts SWAT team members who are attempting to disperse her along with a gathering crowd.
Less than 2 hours before the 7:00 pm execution, protesters begin to fill the designated legal protest area on the prison grounds, which was limited to about 50-75 people.
The Savannah Chief of Police speaks at a memorial for Officer Mark MacPhail, held the previous year during Troy's evidentiary hearing in court.
A supporter of Troy's execution at a memorial for Officer Mark MacPhail, held the previous year during Troy's evidentiary hearing in court.
Supporters of Troy's execution in a designated support area outside the prison during Troy's execution in Jackson, Georgia.
Mark Jr. and Madison, the two children of Officer Mark MacPhail, comfort each other at a memorial service which was held the previous year during Troy's evidentiary hearing in court.
With the number of protestors allowed on the prison grounds limited to 50-75 people, the overflow crowds of nearly 1,000 line the highway across the street from the prison.
Thirty minutes before the execution time, a protester is arrested as police and SWAT teams push back a surging crowd across from the prison grounds.
Five minutes before the scheduled execution, supporters of Troy anxiously await last minute decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in hopes for another stay.
De'Jaun Davis-Correia, nephew of Troy, looks toward the sky amidst the crowd as the minutes tick by.
As protesters believe Troy is being executed, Rev. Lynn Hopkins and spouse Carolyn Bond comfort each other outside the prison.
At 7:01 pm, during a live interview on Democracy Now!, a man reacts to the news that there has been a delay in the execution.
The crowd of protestors regroup to find out what is going on, and what to expect. Troy's sister Martina (sitting, center) wipes away tears while Rev. Raphael Warnock stands nearby.
Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President, addresses the crowd to announce that the execution has been delayed, but it has not been stayed and it may resume as planned if the U.S. Supreme Court allows it.
Supporters of Troy anxiously await updates during the uncertainty of whether or not the delay will result in the execution being called off.
Rev. Raphael Warnock leads the crowd in prayer over Troy's family as they wait for a final decision from the Court.
Heavily armed police prepare for more protection of the prison in light of the uncertainty and intense emotions surrounding the area.
Protesters face the prison in prayer and silent meditation while waiting to hear of news from the U.S. Supreme Court about the final appeal to stop the execution.
De'Jaun, Troy's nephew plays with his cousin Kiersten on the prison grounds, waiting in hope during the Supreme Court delay of execution.
Two hours after the delay, still with no news, National Action Network member Vizion Jones leads the crowd in prayer and song.
At 10:18 pm, Rev. Raphael Warnock and NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous (standing over Martina Correia and other family members) shares the news that the U.S. Supreme Court delay has been lifted and the execution will proceed.
At 11:08 pm, at the exact minute that Troy Davis was executed, Martina looks toward the prison from her wheelchair, while Laura Moye of Amnesty International, collects the name and contact information of Monica Barrow, a young student from California, who wants to get more involved. In this moment, Martina - a tireless organizer and advocate - introduced Monica and Laura in an effort to keep her work against the death penalty alive - despite knowing her brother was being killed at that moment.
After hearing that the execution has been carried out, a final solemn prayer circle is held in the protest area.