American Civil Liberties Union:

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The case of Troy Davis highlights many of the problems with the death penalty: the risk of innocent people being executed, inadequate counsel, and racial and economic status disparities.

Since Troy Davis' trial, seven out of the nine witnesses against him have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Of the remaining two witnesses, one did not identify Troy Davis as the shooter until two years later. The other is the alternative suspect in the murder.

While the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has refused to grant clemency, it has unfettered discretion to revisit the case.

When mistakes are made with the death penalty, they risk the lives of those who may be wrongfully convicted, allow innocent people to spend time in prison and leave a guilty person on the streets to prey on citizens.

Innocent people who are executed suffer an irrevocable punishment and the ultimate deprivation of civil liberties. There have been 130 exonerations from death row in the United States in the past 35 years, and several inmates have been executed despite serious questions about their guilt.