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U.S. | 'I comfort death row inmates in their final moments - the execution room is like a house of horrors'

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Reverend Jeff Hood, 40, wants to help condemned inmates 'feel human again' and vows to continue his efforts to befriend murderers in spite of death threats against his family A reverend who has made it his mission to comfort death row inmates in their final days has revealed the '"moral torture" his endeavor entails. Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood, 40, lives with his wife and five children in Little Rock, Arkansas. But away from his normal home life, he can suddenly find himself holding the shoulder of a murderer inside an execution chamber, moments away from the end of their life. 

Georgia: Court rejects Troy Davis' appeal

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The federal appeals court in Atlanta on Thursday rejected death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis' appeal to get a new trial on claims he is innocent.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Davis' bid in a 2-1 decision, saying he could not file a new appeal raising claims of innocence. But the court continued his stay of execution for 30 more days so Davis can pursue his final appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Davis sits on death row for the 1989 killing of Savannah police Officer Mark MacPhail. MacPhail was working off-duty when he was gunned down in a Burger King parking lot.

The 27-year-old former Army Ranger and father of 2 was unable to draw his weapon. He was shot 3 times.

Since the 1991 capital trial, 7 of 9 witnesses who testified against Davis have recanted their testimony.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 17, 2009
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U.S. | 'I comfort death row inmates in their final moments - the execution room is like a house of horrors'

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Reverend Jeff Hood, 40, wants to help condemned inmates 'feel human again' and vows to continue his efforts to befriend murderers in spite of death threats against his family A reverend who has made it his mission to comfort death row inmates in their final days has revealed the '"moral torture" his endeavor entails. Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood, 40, lives with his wife and five children in Little Rock, Arkansas. But away from his normal home life, he can suddenly find himself holding the shoulder of a murderer inside an execution chamber, moments away from the end of their life. 
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