Troy Davis Has Been Executed for Murder of Savannah Police Officer Mark MacPhail

Troy Davis has been executed for the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. He was pronounced dead at 11:08 p.m. Will this really end the anguish and grief for both families? Something needs to be done about the death penalty in this country. It does not work.

The Timeline of the Troy Davis Case:

• Aug. 19, 1989: At about 1 a.m., off-duty Savannah police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail is working security for a Burger King when a disturbance breaks out in the parking lot. MacPhail hurries to investigate and is shot and killed. He leaves a wife, an 18-month-old daughter and a 7-week-old son.

• Aug. 23, 1989: Accompanied by a pastor, Troy Anthony Davis, knowing he is wanted for the killing, surrenders to police.

• Aug. 30, 1991: A Chatham County jury sentences Davis to death for the murder of MacPhail.

• Feb. 25, 1993: The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously affirms Davis' conviction and sentence.

• May 13, 2004: After Davis' lawyers file petition with claims key witnesses at 1991 trial had recanted or backed off their testimony, a federal judge in Savannah denies habeas corpus relief. He says "there is no danger of a miscarriage of justice" in declining to hear claims casting doubt on conviction.

• Sept. 26, 2006: The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta affirms federal judge's ruling.

• June 29, 2007: Savannah judge sets a new execution date for Davis: anytime between noon July 17 and noon July 24.

• July 2007: On or about the 15th, in a letter from his U.S. envoy, Pope Benedict XVI notes problems with the evidence and asks Gov. Sonny Perdue to spare Davis' life.

• July 16, 2007: With Davis' execution set for the next day, the state parole board issues a stay.

• March 17, 2008: By a 4-3 vote, the Georgia Supreme Court upholds Davis' death sentence, rejecting his request for a hearing.

• Sept. 12, 2008: The state parole board declines to grant clemency to Davis.

• Sept. 19, 2008: In a letter, former President Jimmy Carter tells the parole board that its decision not to grant clemency "risks taking the life of an innocent man and would be a grave miscarriage of justice."

• Sept. 23, 2008: Less than two hours before Davis' scheduled execution, the U.S. Supreme Court grants him a stay.

• Sept. 28, 2008: MacPhail's mother, Annaliese, reacts angrily to the latest stay: "My son is dead. Theirs is still alive. That's just the way I feel."

• Oct. 14, 2008: The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Davis' appeal.

• Oct. 24, 2008: The federal appeals court halts Davis' execution a third time, granting a stay.

• April 16, 2009: The federal appeals court, in 2-1 decision, rejects Davis' bid for a new trial.

• Aug. 17, 2009: The U.S. Supreme Court orders a federal judge to hear new evidence and determine if Davis can clearly establish his innocence.

• June 23, 2010: U.S. District Judge William T. Moore Jr. convenes hearing and hears two days of testimony.

• Aug. 24, 2010: Moore rejects Davis' claims, calling his new evidence largely "smoke and mirrors."

• March 28, 2011: U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Davis' appeal of Moore's ruling.

• Sept. 6, 2011: Georgia Department of Corrections sets Sept. 21 execution date for Davis.

• Sept. 20, 2011: Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles declines to grant Davis clemency.

• Sept. 21, 2011: Appeals rejected at Georgia, U.S. supreme courts.

• Sept. 21, 2011: Troy Davis executed. (Source: AJC)