District attorney speaks out on Troy Davis case

By Don Logana - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -  Chatham County district attorney Spencer Lawton broke his silence in the paper, and tonight, on WTOC.

Seventeen years is a long time to bite one's tongue. Spencer Lawton is not pulling any punches.

Lawton says the case is over as far as he is concerned. The US Supreme Court has ruled. His gloves are off. While the Davis family and supporters claim Lawton has twisted the truth, and even lied, in recent editorials, Lawton says he's ready to set the record straight on the Troy Davis case.

"I think Davis is guilty. I think he shot a police officer to death. In cold blood," Lawton told WTOC.

Lawton rarely gives television interviews. "I have been very careful to keep my mouth shut about the case," he said.

The Chatham County district attorney has a lot to say now about the Troy Davis case, 17-years worth.

"What frustrates me is when they say things that just aren't true," Lawton said.  They, being the defense team behind Troy Davis, the NAACP and Amnesty International, along with an army of supporters who have joined the "Free Troy Davis" movement.

"I say they are wrong, and I am as sorry as I could be about that. It's just those are not the facts. It offends me. Next time you are at one of these things, ask for a show of hands of the people who have looked at the record and not just what they have been told about it. You won't see it," Lawton said.

If you have followed the Troy Davis case, you have heard the arguments from the justice for Troy Davis contingent, including no physical evidence.

"I dislike the fact that they say there is no physical evidence in the case. What they mean is there was no gun found and no DNA on the gun. Sorry bout that. It happens alot," Lawton said. "But there was physical evidence to tie Davis to the shooting. Earlier in the day Davis shot another fella at a pool party. He was convicted of shooting him in the face. The shell casings exactly matched the shooting of Officer MacPhail."

Another argument from the defense claims another man may have committed the murder.

"The only person being pursued by a police officer was Troy Davis. So he was the only person with a motive in the parking lot to shoot the police officer. There you have it," Lawton said. "They want to condemn a fella named Coles on far less evidence than Davis was condemned. I don't know where they think that is fair, but that's what they want."

After years of staying silent, Lawton says his belief in the case against Troy Davis has stayed the same. Lawton said he never had a doubt.

Spencer Lawton also talked a lot about witnesses recanting testimonies, which he says was taken into consideration and studied by the many courts hearing the case.

However, one thing he agrees with the Davis family on is the judicial system itself. He says it's not working and he says the fact this case has dragged on for 17 years is proof.

We'll be hearing more from Spencer Lawton as we continue to follow the Troy Davis case and a possible execution leading to Monday night.