This week, the Supreme Court ruled that it will allow an evidentiary hearing for death row inmate Troy Davis to present evidence of his innocence. Troy Davis has been on death row since 1989 for killing a Georgia police officer. He has always maintained his innocence. Everyone from the Pope to Desmond Tutu has supported his battle. Since his conviction, 7 of the 9 eyewitnesses have recanted their stories. It is alleged the real killer is among the remaining 2. Is Troy Davis innocent? I don't know whether he's innocent or not. I do know the Supreme Court's decision is a victory for all. Chief Justice Roberts stated the possibility of executing an innocent man trumps everything else. It is a rare and bold move by the Supreme Court. Following the law to the letter would have denied Troy Davis this opportunity. Justice Scalia, a dissenter, maintains the Supreme Court has not ruled on forbidding the execution of a convicted person given a fair trial who is later able to prove his … [Read more...] about Troy Davis: Supreme Court Doing the Right Thing
LegalSpeaks Blog
Gun Rights and Voting Rights Together Forever
Just like a recurring nightmare for the District of Columbia, he's back. Attorney Alan Guru filed a new federal lawsuit last week to allow D.C. residents to lawfully carry guns on the streets of DC. It was not enough that gun rights advocates won the right for DC residents to keep handguns in their homes for protection. After overturning the DC gun ban, now they want guns on the street for protection. They're using the same argument as in the previus lawsuit. Gun rights advocates now claim DC's law prohibiting guns outside the home violates the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Gun rights proponents argue the bad guys have guns and the good guys need guns too. If law abiding citizens think they can protect themselves with guns and outshoot the bad guys, God bless them. They are in for a rude awakening. DC will only become the wild wild west or the O.K. corral. More guns on the streets will lead to the loss of innocent lives. Imagine people leaving bars after drinking with … [Read more...] about Gun Rights and Voting Rights Together Forever
NFL- Do The Right Thing
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to "reinstate" Michael Vick left me perplexed and puzzled. Goodell said the intent was to"do the right thing" by Vick. Was the NFL really doing the right thing or pandering to the animal rights groups? Michael Vick was indefinitely suspended from the NFL 2 years ago. He served 2 years in a federal prison for his illegal gambling and dog fighting operation. Upon release, he had 2 months home confinement. He now is on 3 years probation. If he doesn't walk a straight and narrow line and violates his probation terms, he will serve more time. So why does the NFL need to extract an additional pound of flesh from Vick? The Commissioner's decision to "reinstate" Vick has additional terms. He won't be eligible to play in regular games until game 6. Goodell wants to monitor Vick until then before fully deciding his fate. Michael Vick must adhere to and provide a written plan to the Commissioner outlining his housing, finances, counseling and work … [Read more...] about NFL- Do The Right Thing
Wake Up Everybody- We Are Not Post Racial
I never understood those who said we were living in a post racial society after the election of President Obama. Racism is so deeply rooted in our society. No one act or election is going to eradicate racism over night. For those of you who thought we had entered a post racial zone, the Henry Louis Gates incident should tell you otherwise. If you're African American living in America, you likely think it was racism. If you're white, you may think the officer acted wrong but not racist. Then there's President Obama who's trying to act like Rodney King with his can't we all get along statements. President Obama has invited everyone to the White House for beer and pizza. The President carefully backed away from the issue once he saw it was a political landmine. The fact of the matter is there was no real reason for the officer to arrest Professor Gates at his own house after producing his identification. The reason for the arrest was a result of inherent racism. Just because the … [Read more...] about Wake Up Everybody- We Are Not Post Racial
Michael Vick Deserves to Be Reinstated
There's no reason why Michael Vick should not be reinstated to play in the NFL. Michael Vick completed his prison term. He's re-entered society. He's paid whatever debt he owes to society. And he should be allowed to be reinstated. He had amazing talent before his prison term. Whether he still has the gift remains to be seen. He deserves the opportunity to show whether or not his skills remain. I don't see how the NFL can deny Vick reinstatement without being hypocritical and judgmental. Of course, they've been both. What does it say about the NFL to deny him a second chance? It says your debt is not paid by your prison term if your job is professional football. The NFL needs to just get over it and reinstate Michael Vick. … [Read more...] about Michael Vick Deserves to Be Reinstated
The NACCP Celebrates Its Centennial
This week the NAACP held its centennial celebration. The NAACP was formed in 1909 and is still standing 100 years later. The question is whether the NAACP is relevant today. After all, we have elected an African American President. The U.S. Attorney General is African American. Both spoke at the convention. Some think we are in a post racial world. Those who doubt the NAACP’s relevancy needed to be in attendance. I was fortunate to be able to attend and witness first hand the reasons why the NAACP is still relevant today. The NAACP amply made out the case for its existence today citing facts, figures and issues. Every viable organization that withstands the test of time must change to remain relevant. As times change, some issues change, some remain and others evolve. President Obama said the barriers of the past are not the same as today. We no longer face Jim Crow or lynching. Yet, we must still eradicate prejudice and discrimination. The NAACP must now stand for advancement of … [Read more...] about The NACCP Celebrates Its Centennial