Troy Davis wins new hearing

Troy Davis, 40, who has been imprisoned for half his life, may finally have a chance to prove his innocence.

Troy Davis in 1991.

The Supreme Court, in a highly unusual ruling, on Aug. 17 ordered a federal judge in Georgia to hold a hearing at which Davis could present evidence to disprove that he killed an Atlanta police officer in 1989. Davis has three times come within hours of execution, but a worldwide outcry has stayed the hand of the state.

Why should this ruling come as a surprise? Seven of the nine witnesses who testified against Davis have recanted. One of the two remaining may be the real shooter. A hearing and/or a new trial should be a no-brainer.

Yet until now Davis has been unable to get a court to hear this new evidence. Justice Antonin Scalia said in his dissent that the Supreme Court has never held that the Constitution forbids the execution of an innocent person. Yes, you heard it right. But this time, Scalia was in a minority.

U.S. “justice” is seen around the world as a racist system that locks up people without money, especially people of color, by the millions. The Davis case has been proof of that. This ruling is a victory for all who have been fighting the system.