Ok... So I'm gonna go on record by calling this situation ridiculous. Not that he's guilty or innocent, but that he must die. I look at his family and think "Why are you so hell bent on killing this man?!?" We aren't even talking about death vs freedom; We're talking about death vs LIFE IN PRISON! In the latter case he STILL looses his life. It sucks for him either way as he won't be able to see his children grow up or play sports or graduate from school or get married. In my opinion, this is more painful than death as he must live daily with the consequences of his actions and watch helplessly (its even worse for him if he's actually innocent). But that's not it...
If they were talking about letting a guilty man walk free it would be a HUGE problem. If they said Mr. Davis was getting "time served" or if they changed everything and said that he is in fact innocent and left officer MacPhail's murder as an "unsolved mystery", I could understand how that could be very upsetting. I could see being angry about that - furious even. At that point, I would understand you saying the justice system has failed you and I would be completely sympathetic to you wanting to exercise some "street justice." But Davis, innocent or not, isn't going anywhere. So the questions become: "How is it possible that this man's death will heal you emotionally when his 'rotting in prison' didn't and what will you do when you wake up the next day and feel the same way you did before he died?" Your emotional healing begins with your decision not to allow the negative emotions from the situation to dictate you, your day, and your life.
To the MacPhail family: Let's assume, for the sake of the argument, Troy Davis is guilty. Let's also keep in mind the first point I made; Davis is not going free - this is death vs life in prison. Rather than allow yourself to heal, you've harbored anger and allowed Davis to take officer MacPhail's life AND your life. I'm not saying give your relative's murderer a pass; I'm saying don't let him hold you emotionally hostage. You've missed out on living for the past 21 years because you're worried about if this man is going to die tomorrow or rot in prison. Forgiving Troy Davis probably wouldn't do Troy Davis one bit of good - none. On the other hand, forgiving Troy Davis in your heart and letting go of all those negative emotions will do a world of good for yourself. It'll give you the jump start you need on the path toward your healing. You don't have to wait til after his death to "start your life". You can start your life today...