Troy Davis executed in Georgia

JACKSON, Ga. -- Georgia inmate Troy Davis was executed Wednesday night for killing an off-duty police officer in a case that drew worldwide support for his claims of innocence.

Davis proclaimed his innocence to the end in the 1989 slaying of off-duty Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail.

His final words, as witnessed by an Associated Press reporter, were:

"I'd like to address the MacPhail family. . . . I'm not the one who personally killed your son, your father, your brother. I am innocent. The incident that happened that night is not my fault. I did not have a gun. All I can ask . . . is that you look deeper into this case so that you really can finally see the truth.

"I ask my family and friends to continue to fight this fight.

For those about to take my life, God have mercy on your souls. And may God bless your souls."

Courts consistently ruled against Davis, however, and the officer's family says they finally have justice after 22 years.

The Supreme Court late Wednesday rejected without comment an 11th-hour request to block the execution. Davis had convinced hundreds of thousands of people but not the justice system of his innocence. -- AP