My father is like Troy Davis

I UNDERSTAND how the death penalty/capital murder judicial system works. However, I don't think the average U.S. citizen understands how easy it is to be found guilty of a crime when you are innocent. The trial of Casey Anthony gives us insight into the average citizen's thought process on murder: a lynch-mob mentality. Most of the public are in support of the death penalty, and elections prove that.

The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act was a law passed in the 1990s to speed up the death penalty process, among other things. The judicial system is very complicated, and unless you have been involved, most people don't understand it or care to understand it. Unless it is happening to you or someone you love.

I never thought there was a question about a person's guilt when they got the death penalty. That was until my father Thomas Arthur got the death penalty.

To be honest, for many years, I thought he was guilty as well. He has been on Alabama death row for over 30 years. DNA testing in 2009 was negative for him. However, the state of Alabama is in the process of setting his new execution date.

MY FATHER and Troy Davis' cases are similar in regards to trying to get new trials and proving innocence. Also similar is the fact this Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act is a big part of why they are not being allowed to prove their innocence in a new trial.

I am very sad for the Davis family and all they have had to endure. I truly understand, as I have been through four scheduled executions and am looking at a fifth. It is the most physically and mentally draining situation you will ever encounter. It is impossible to understand if you have never experienced it. The victim's families go through this as well. This goes on for decades.

That is cruel and unusual punishment. Anyone who thinks executing someone is going to bring closure for anyone, I am not so sure that is true. Especially if that person is innocent.

After learning how this system truly works, I believe there are many innocent people in prisons, and I believe we have executed and are continuing to execute innocent people. I have tried to fight this system, and so has Troy's sister.

We are fighting a "well-oiled machine." During the process, the district attorney tried to find a reason to put me in prison. I have been threatened. The governor of Alabama sent the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to see me, and the governor made threats to try to scare me.

My brother was arrested during the last scheduled execution. He was arrested for rape after DNA tested positive for someone else. He is doing time in a Florida prison. He is mentally disabled. The detective was given a promotion shortly after his arrest.

I know how the "machine" works. I developed a tumor the size of an orange. It just goes on and on.

The families of these men on death row pay a price as well. My heart goes out to the Davis family--I understand, and I am fighting for you and with you.

This is being done in the public's and victim's name, and we are all footing the bill. It is time for a change and for the citizens to get involved and stop this. We should not be executing anyone when there is evidence of innocence.