This is a presentation that I put together for my college computer class. I chose the Troy Davis case because it interested me, and fits into my major of criminal justice.

1. The Life and Execution of Troy
Davis

2. A Case That Divided The World
On September 21, 2011 Troy Davis was executed for the
murder of officer Mark MacPhail. To understand why this case
caused so much controversy, one must first understand the
life of Davis and the case itself

3. Troy Davis: The Early Years
The facts that people may not know
 Troy Anthony Davis- DOB October 9,
1968
 Grew up in Savannah Georgia
 Dropped out of high school, but
obtained GED
 Coached in the Savannah Police
Athletics Department
 Enrolled in United States Marine
Corps

4. The First Arrest
In 1988, Troy Davis was arrested for possession of a concealed
weapon. Although this was his first arrest, it would prove to be a
detrimental one considering how many times it was brought up
during his trial.

5. The Events Of August 18, 1989

6. The Pool Party
And
The Shooting of Michael Cooper
 Davis attended a pool party with friends
 Davis left the party with Darrell Collins
 Collin’s vehicle approaches another vehicle
and a verbal altercation takes place
 Davis allegedly shoots Michael Cooper in
the face from the car

7. The Shooting of Mark MacPhail
 Troy Davis and Darrell Collins meet up with
Sylvester Coles
 The three men take part in the beating of a
homeless man named Larry Young
 Officer Mark MacPhail is shot while trying to help
Young.

8. The Court Proceedings

9. Timeline: Original Trial
1989-1991
 November 15, 1989: Grand jury indicts
Troy Davis for MacPhail’s murder
 April 1990: Davis pleads not guilty, and
trial begins
 August 28, 1991: Davis is found guilty
 August 30, 1991: Davis is sentenced to
death.

10. Evidence Used and Dismissed
During Original Trial
 Nine eyewitness accounts: Used
 Shell casing matched Cooper Shooting:
Used
 Forensic evidence gathered from Davis’
house: Dismissed due to illegal search

11. Appeals: 1991-1994
 First Appeal 1992: Denied
 Second Appeal 1993: Denied
 Habeas Corpus Petition 1994:
Eyewitness recanted
Murder weapon never recovered
Denied: New execution date
July 17, 2007

12. Reason’s Eyewitnesses Gave for
Recanting
 They feared for their lives during the
original trial
 The police coerced them
 The police harassed them
 They were basing their information on
what they saw on television

13. Three Stays of Execution
One Informal Hearing
2007-2010
 July 16, 2007: Stay of execution granted.
 New execution date set for: September 23,2008
 September 23, 2008: Stay of execution granted
 October 14, 2008: Attorney general denies appeal.
New execution date set for: October 27, 2008
 October 24, 2008: Third stay of execution granted.
 August 17,2009: Supreme Court rules for Georgia
to hear new evidence
 August 2010: Judge ordered new evidence to be
“smoke and mirrors”.
New execution date set for: September 21, 2011

14. September 21, 2011
Protestors gather with signs representing the slogan:
“I am Troy Davis”

15. The Last Hours of Life
 3pm-6pm: Davis denies last
meal, talks to pastor, and files one
more appeal.
 6:30: Supreme Court announces that
they will decide whether or not to grant
another stay of execution.
 10pm: Stay of execution denied
 11:08pm: Davis pronounced dead by
lethal injection

16. Last Words
“Well, first of all I'd like to address the MacPhail family. I'd
like to let you all know, despite the situation I know all of
you are still convinced that I'm the person that killed your
father, your son and your brother, but I am innocent. The
incident that happened that night was not my fault. I did
not have a gun that night. I did not shoot your family
member. But I am so sorry for your loss. I really am,
sincerely. All I can ask is that each of you look deeper
into this case, so that you really will finally see the truth. I
ask my family and friends that you all continue to pray,
that you all continue to forgive. Continue to fight this
fight. For those about to take my life, may God have
mercy on all of your souls. God bless you all”
-Troy Davis

17. Why all the Controversy?
1. Eyewitness accounts can be
considered unreliable
2. Eyewitnesses signed affidavits
recanting statements
3. Murder weapon was never recovered
4. No forensic evidence linking Davis to
either shooting
5. A man was executed based on
circumstantial evidence alone