LGBT Civil Rights Org. Condemns Ga. Execution

The National Center for Lesbian Rights condemned the actions of the state of Georgia, which on Wednesday executed Troy Davis, an African-American man convicted of killing a Savannah police officer in 1989 even though seven witnesses recanted their trial testimony and no physical evidence linked him to the crime.

"This is a sad and shameful day for justice and democracy," NCLR executive director Kate Kendell said in a press release. "With scant and tainted evidence the state of Georgia proceeded with its scheduled execution of Troy Davis. Every barrier to protect a possibly innocent man from death fell away and now we all bear some measure of responsibility for Davis's death. As a nation, we have lost a bit of our decency and humanity with Davis's execution. It is long past time for our nation and everyone committed to a just and fair system to renounce the death penalty. It is no deterrent, and as the body count rises of men and women who may well have been innocent, our democratic ideals and faith in justice are tarnished."

The death of Davis, who maintained his innocence up until his execution, has sparked nationwide outrage.