The Leadership Conference is working diligently to see that Tom Perez is confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Perez is an eminently qualified public servant and consensus builder who has dedicated his career to ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and have the opportunity to succeed. He has served with integrity and distinction at the local, state and national level, compiling an outstanding record of achievement. Supreme Court Delays Decision on Hearing Troy Davis Case
July 10, 2009 - Posted by The Leadership Conference
"I Am Troy Davis," in which supporters hold a picture of Davis in front of their face to symbolize the criminal justice system's disparate treatment of Black men. October 26, 2008, in Atlanta, Ga. Photo Credit: World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court delayed deciding if it would hear a case that could grant Troy Davis a new trial until the Court reconvenes in the fall.
Davis is a Georgia death row inmate who has insisted since his 1991 trial that he is innocent of the murder of police officer. His case has drawn international criticism from world leaders, including the European Parliament, Desmond Tutu, and Pope Benedict, who point to new evidence suggesting that Troy Davis could be innocent.
The Supreme Court granted Davis a stay of execution on September 23, 2008, but refused to hear the case requesting a new trial. The Court referred the case back to a lower Georgia court, which refused Davis a retrial but granted a 30-day stay of execution to permit Davis' lawyers time to petition the Supreme Court again. The Supreme Court's delay will likely keep the state of Georgia from setting a date for execution.
"The execution of a likely innocent man must not proceed, and we are thankful the Court has put the brakes on Troy's execution," said Benjamin T. Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP.
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