I am glad Maine does not have a death penalty. The people living in the state of Georgia now must face the fact that their law allowed the execution of Troy Davis, a man who was not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The process that convicted Davis included what we would consider a “fair trial” unless you count the facts that this was the trial of a black man in a state with a well-known track record of racism.

The law enforcement community was justifiably upset, because the victim was an off duty police officer. Sometimes in the heat of the events there is undue pressure to find and convict.

The jury was not really to blame either, they were told by nine people that without a doubt, it was Davis. Seven of the nine have now recanted their testimonies. Of the remaining two who did not, one has bragged that he pulled the trigger.

The appeals process, which could and should correct a situation such as this one, fell apart. Why? Who wants to risk killing an innocent person?

Obviously in Georgia, death, not proof, is the priority. The Georgia board voted 3-2 to go forward with the execution. They refused to allow Davis to take a lie detector test.

The Supreme Court accepted a last-minute appeal, which delayed Davis’ execution at 7 p.m. on the scheduled day. They could have taken as long as they wanted to review the material. Instead they issued a one-sentence refusal to review, and Davis was killed by injection at 11 p.m. Why? What is to be gained? Justice was not served. I am glad we in Maine do not have to risk such blood on our hands.

Sheila Evans

Chelsea