The Execution of Troy Davis

I did not know this man. I did not know his story or the police officer that was fatally shot.

Yet I became intrigued to follow the story over the last several days like many others. Troy Davis made national headlines this week as supporters attempted to stop his execution. Convicted over 20 years ago for killing police officer, Mark MacPhail, he was sentenced to death. A jury found him guilty, then over the course of time, several witness recanted their stories. A cloud of doubt surrounded his story. Davis continued to claim his innocence. People rallied to stop the execution. Davis’ attorneys filed a last-minute motion to the US Supreme Court all in an attempt to save Troy Davis.

Image by Tricia Wang 王圣捷 via Flickr

I watched the media coverage from both sides. I read the story. I saw MacPhail’s mother on television. She lost her son over 20 years ago. A senseless killing of a police officer who was only trying to help another.

This whole situation is sad. Purely sad, a real tragedy for both families. Two men died. I can’t help to think about the course of this story. How people rallied to try to save Davis, how the family of the slain police officer had to endure this tragedy all over. Twenty years went by, and I’m sure they were grieving as it just happened yesterday.

Troy Davis was executed today by lethal injection in Georgia. Now the Davis family begins their grief. None of it makes sense to me. I’m not pro or against the death penalty. I’m just heart-sick over this whole story.

Yet I do have a strong faith. And I trust God. He has a plan in all of this. Perhaps one day, all of us will understand why. Then again, we may never know on this side of heaven.

May God Bless the families of MacPhail and Davis. May they find some peace and comfort.