The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in the Troy Davis case on October 14, despite his claim of innocence. Davis had petitioned the Court to intervene in his case after seven of the nine non-police witnesses against him recanted their testimony. His lawyers said the new evidence demonstrated his innocence and that another man had even confessed to the killing. The Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles could still review its earlier decision to deny clemency to Davis.
(G. Bluestein, “High court turns down GA death row inmate,” Associated Press, October 14, 2008). See Davis v. Georgia (08 – 66) (filings here). See also Innocence and U.S. Supreme Court.
In another case, the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 13 denied review to Richard Cooey in Ohio. Cooey had raised a challenge to the way that lethal injection would be used in his execution. He was executed in the morning of Oct.14. (CNN.com, Oct. 14, 2008). This is the only execution outside of the south in 2008.
