Family and supporters gather for Troy Davis' funeral

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A large crowd of family and supporters packed Jonesville Baptist Church Saturday morning to pay their respects to Troy Anthony Davis, who was executed nearly two weeks ago for the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail.

The funeral service took on a political overtone at times - with many calling for an end to the death penalty.

Family members as well as several national leaders spoke at the funeral, including individuals from groups such as the NAACP and Amnesty International. The eulogy was delivered by Rev. Raphael Warnock of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Davis was executed on Wednesday Sept. 21 for the murder or MacPhail after a long series of appeals and clemency hearings. Davis maintained that he was innocent until his execution.

"I think that it's the most modern form of injustice that we've seen in my lifetime," said Evette Brown of Greensboro, N.C.

"To me, I just think that he got lynched. It was a lynching done behind closed doors," Tracy Owens, of Hilton Head Island, S.C.

"I just feel that it's time for a change. This shouldn't happen anymore. It's 2011 and we need to step up to the plate and fight for what's right," Alexis Small, of Los Angeles, Calif.

The MacPhail family said that with the execution, they finally have some peace.

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