OKLAHOMA CITY –The Brian Darrell Davis Clemency press conference sponsored by the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) a state affiliate of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP) will be held at the State Capitol 4th Floor Senate Committee Room, 419C, on Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m.
The Oklahoma Pardon & Parole Board recommended clemency with a 4-1 vote, on June 6, 2013, for Mr. Davis, scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on June 25, at 6 p.m. On June 13, 2013, Gov. Fallin refused their recommendation and denied clemency to Mr. Davis.
The purpose of the press conference is to present the strong rationales for Gov. Fallin to exercise her authority to follow her P&P Board appointees’ counsel to choose mercy over vengeance and grant clemency for 38-year-old, Davis.
The press conference will address the serious disregard of (1) the Oklahoma Legislature to initiate a study of the extreme costs of death penalty above that of life-in-prison; (2) Governor Fallin’s refusal to follow the Pardon & Parole Board’s clemency recommendation; and (3) the flagrant racial bias of the all-white jury that convicted this African American man.
Speakers will include State Senator Constance N. Johnson; The Rev. Dr. William Tabbernee, Executive Director, Oklahoma Conference of Churches; Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, OK-CADP Board Member and former United Church of Christ minister; Garland Pruitt, President Oklahoma City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Rev. Dr. Marlon J. Coleman, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Muskogee; Bill Gorden, Catholic Deacon, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City; and Mary E. Sine, OK-CADP Board Officer.
The event is open to the public and will also be streamed live. For LiveStream access go to: www.oksenate.gov – under Live Video – click on Live Committee Meetings, then on 419C.
OK-CADP & NCADP join Mr. Davis’ family in urging Gov. Fallin to reconsider her decision to deny the Pardon & Parole Board’s recommendation. She has the authority to grant two 30-day reprieves in order to study the recommendation and meet with prosecution and defense attorneys.
The five-member board voted 4-1 to recommend that the death sentence of Mr. Davis be commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Davis was convicted by a Kay County jury of murder and rape in the November 2001 death of his girlfriend’s mother, Josephine Sanford, 52.
The parole board recommended clemency after Davis took responsibility for the crime and apologized to the family of the victim. The board also noted doubt about whether or not a rape had occurred or if the relationship was consensual. Additionally, the board took into consideration that Davis, an African American man, was convicted by an all-white jury of the murder and rape of a white woman.
“We ask the public to urge Governor Mary Fallin to be merciful and adopt the recommendation of the Oklahoma Pardon & Parole Board,” said Collin Walke, OK-CADP Chair. “Rather than disregard the strong 4 to 1 recommendation for clemency out of fear of criticism from those who do not temper vengeance with mercy.”
OK-CADP members have requested a meeting with Gov. Fallin and have an appointment with Deputy General Council Rebecca Frasier at noon following the press conference to again plead for the Governor to grant clemency to Davis.
On Tuesday, June 25, the Coalition invites the public to join them at Gov. Fallin’s office, Room 212, at the State Capitol for a Gathering/Pray-In, from 2-5 p.m.
Following the gathering, the public is also asked to join members of the Coalition as they stand in front of the Governor’s mansion, 820 NE 23 St., at 5:15 pm during the “Don’t Kill for Me” demonstration, which will transition into a silent vigil at the appointed hour of 6 pm until death is pronounced.
Barring an act of mercy by Gov. Fallin, Brian Davis will be executed at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, June 25, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Walke said, “We extend deep compassion for the victim, Josephine Sanford’s family, Brian Davis’s family and those who must prepare to carry out this execution. We hope they find solace for their minds and spirits.”
OK-CADP is urging the public to send letters, faxes, emails, make phone calls and SIGN OUR PETITION asking Gov. Fallin to reconsider her decision and support the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation for clemency.
Contact Gov. Fallin by writing to the Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 212, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, call 405-521-2342 and also sign their online petition at http://tinyurl.com/callFallin.
Tags: brian darrell davis, clemency, execution, Gov. Mary Fallin, NCADP, oklahoma
