Troy Davis
Troy is the inspiration for Innocence Matters.
We are proud and honored to have had the opportunity to assist on the Troy Davis case - an innocent man on Georgia's death row. Since July 2007, Deirdre O'Connor has worked pro bono to help free Troy. Please visit FreeTroyDavis site for additional information. Deirdre information. Deirdre's work on Troy's case included drafting several amicus briefs filed in the Georgia Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court from 2007 through 2009. She also assisted in the grassroots advocacy campaign and engaged the broader legal community in the fight to save an innocent man. Deirdre maintains regular contact with Mr. Davis and is committed to seeing that he finds justice.
Miraculously and against all odds, on August 17, 2009, the United States Supreme Court brought Troy one step closer to justice when they finally ordered the District Court to hear Troy's evidence of innocence. Deirdre O'Connor drafted the NAACP amicus brief on this round. It is tremendous victory for all involved. And, yet, the joy is dampened by the reality that very few in the legal community thought the Court would intervene to save Troy. That alone tells us how far we have to go before we have a system that functions as it should.
The evidentiary hearing was held on June 23-24, 2010. We are awaiting Judge Moore's decision.
Without question, there will be many forces at work to maintain the status quo. Win or lose, this case will likely go back to SCOTUS. Please contribute to the Troy Davis Amicus Fund.
To learn more, visit Free Troy Davis.
A right-handed black man with a medium complexion was convicted of a robbery committed by a left-handed man with a dark complexion. Another case of close enough in Georgia?
This man was detained within minutes of the robbery and his car was searched. He was not wearing clothing even remotely similar to that worn by the robber; nor were there any proceeds from the robbery found in his car or on his person.
There is far more that could be said about this case, but the matter is pending final briefing and the AG has not publicly committed to a version of facts. For those reasons, we will refrain from outlining the most compelling proof of this indigent man's innocence.
This man has been in custody since 2006 and is serving a 20 year sentence. His parents have borne the costs of their son's appeal, nearly $30,000 to date. Deirdre O'Connor has donated many hours to this case.
