Troy Davis was convicted for the 1989 slaying of an off-duty Georgia police officer. He was executed Wednesday September 21, 2011 by lethal injection. Davis has always maintained his innocence, and his list of supporters increased steadily as the case made its way through the legal system.
Davis’ case has received international attention, and his supporters include Amnesty International and former Untied States President Jimmy Carter. Davis’ supporters and attorneys argued that there existed an enormous cloud of doubt as to whether Davis was guilty. Davis was largely convicted for the crime based on eye witness accounts. Today many of those witnesses have recanted their previous testimony.
In California, murder is codified under California Penal Code Section 187. The penal code defines murder as causing the death of another person, or fetus, with malice aforethought. The term “malice aforethought” refers to the murderer’s mental state or intent that must be formed before the act can constitute murder.
What are the punishments for murder in California?
A conviction of first-degree murder is punishable by death, imprisonment in the state prison for life without the possibility of parole, or imprisonment in the state prison for a term of 25 years to life. A conviction for second degree murder is normally punishable by imprisonment in state prison for a term of 15 years to life. The circumstances surround the murder will determine whether it will be charged as a first-degree and second-degree murder
Under certain circumstances, the death penalty is a potential punishment for murder in California. The common special circumstance death penalty case in California occurs when a first responder is murdered, or if the murder was especially heinous or cruel.
If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime, it is imperative that you hire an aggressive, experienced criminal defense law firm. Hiring an experienced criminal defense law firm can greatly increase your chances of keeping your freedom, and ensuring you receive the lowest possible sentence. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been helping people for over 30 years.
Please feel free to contact Wallin & Klarich to discuss your case. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 877-466-5245 or go to our website at wklaw.com for more information.
