Troy Davis
Troy Davis, 42, was executed in September for the 1989 murder of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail. Davis, 42, was convicted of slaying the Savannah cop in 1991, but since his arrest, Davis has constantly maintained his innocence.Thousands of people came out to oppose the execution of Davis, who only 19 when he was arrested in connection with the shooting. What makes Davis’ case a controversial one was that no physical evidence was presented against him during his trial. Additionally, multiple witnesses have recanted or changed their testimony in the years since the murder. There were reports of several protest rallies being held in an attempt to sway the five-member panel of the Georgia Pardons board. The board was also given the names of 663,000 people asking for Davis to be spared execution. Among Davis’ supporters were Amnesty International, NAACP, and ordinary citizens, some death penalty advocates and opponents, as well as former President Jimmy Carter and Pope Benedict. While on his death bed, Davis reportedly told the officer’s family that he was “sorry for your loss, but I did not personally kill your son, father and brother. I am innocent.”Davis also reportedly said: “The incident that night was not my fault, I did not have a gun,” and urged authorities to continue to look deeper into this case in order to find the “truth.” His execution drew condolences tweet from celebrities such as Busta Rhymes, Mack Maine, Ice-T and Russell Simmons. More than 1,000 people attended his funeral. REUTERS

Anonymous has joined the thousands of individuals and organizations protesting Georgia's execution of Troy Davis, promising a series of revenge attacks in a number of statements issued via its AnonymousIRC Twitter account.

"On this sad day you have changed the rule of the game, USA. We have adapted already. #TroyDavis, we will never forget you. #OccupyWallstreet" read one of Anonymous' tweets, referring to a protest in New York. "And now we show our respect for #TroyDavis with one hour of silence. You are a true martyr. May your journey be well. The world is with you."

The statements came just after news of Davis' execution became public after 11 p.m. The case had gained global media attention after significant doubts were cast over Davis' guilt.

Davis maintained his innocence of the 1989 killing of Officer Mark MacPhail right up to his final moments.

"I want to talk to the MacPhail family," said Davis as he was being prepared for execution. "I was not responsible for what happened that night. I did not have a gun. I was not the one who took the life of your father, son, brother."

Following its initial statements of support, Anonymous' message took a darker tone, indicating plans to enact a number of revenge attacks on U.S. authorities.

"Georgia has prepared for ddos? [dedicat denial of service] Did they also prepare for the next stage? Too bad there is no weekday starting with "G". #TTT #FFF #SSS," read one of the tweets. "#TheWorldWasWatching and has witnessed: The #USA is a barbaric, Orwellian police state. Like Libya, Egypt, Tunisia was. NEED CLEANSING."

Anonymous also issued a number of statements indicating it would shift its focus away from the continuing Occupy Wall Street protest to focus on the Davis execution.

"And #OccupyWallstreet, we do not forget you. You will understand that we have our eyes on #TroyDavis now. Sail Strong! We're with you," read Anonymous' tweet.

The group did not clarify what form the new action would take, though in the past the collective has mounted cyber attacks against governments and organizations it takes as having acted unjustly.

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