Georgia board denies clemency for Troy Davis

photo This undated file photo provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Troy Davis. Georgia corrections officials have scheduled a Sept. 21, 2011, execution date for Davis, for the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. Davis, now 42, insists he's innocent and his lawyers, arguing they could prove it, have managed to spare him from three execution dates in the last four years. (AP Photo/Georgia Department of Corrections, File)

ATLANTA - Georgia's pardons board has rejected clemency for Troy Davis despite high-profile support for his claim that he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer in 1989.

Steve Hayes, spokesman for the Board of Pardons and Paroles, said Tuesday the panel decided to reject Davis' request for clemency after hearing hours of testimony from his supporters and prosecutors.

Davis is set to die on Wednesday for the killing of off-duty Savannah officer Mark MacPhail, who was slain while rushing to help a homeless man being attacked. It is the fourth time in four years his execution has been scheduled by Georgia officials.

Davis' lawyers have long argued Davis was a victim of mistaken identity. But prosecutors say they have no doubt that they charged the right person with the crime.

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