(May 11, 2013: We have moved our website, www.abu-jamal-news.com to here, with our previous, pre-2013 center column content featured below. We have retained our original domain name, with traffic to www.abu-jamal-news.com redirected to here.)
3rd Circuit: Mumia Must Have New Sentencing Trial For Death Sentence To Be Reinstated
DA Will Appeal to US Supreme Court
On April 26, 2011 the US Third Circuit Court upheld earlier rulings from 2001 (by US District Court Judge William Yohn) and 2008 (by the same 3rd Circuit panel of three judges) that 'overturned'* the death sentence and stated that if the DA wants to re-instate the death penalty, then Mumia must first be given a new sentencing phase jury trial where Mumia can present evidence of innocence but the jury can only decide between execution or life in prison without parole. (View full ruling)According to the ruling, the DA has 180 days to decide whether or not to have a new sentencing trial. However, the DA is now appealing this ruling to the US Supreme Court, further postponing the 180 day deadline.
*The word 'overturned' must be qualified because following the 2001 ruling, at the DA's request, Mumia has never left his death row cell or been given general population 'privileges' such as contact visits.
RELATED: NAACP LDF press release II Linn Washington Jr. II Jeff Mackler II Democracy Now interview Judith Ritter and Linn Washington Jr. II Amy Goodman in Guardian UK II Associated Press / ABC II Philadelphia Inquirer II Newsworks/WHYY video of DA Seth Williams II Amsterdam News II FreeMumia.com
Exclusive! New Test Shows Key Witnesses Lied at Abu-Jamal Trial; Sidewalk Murder Scene Should Have Displayed Bullet Impacts
The "missing divots" observation challenging the prosecution's contention that Mumia shot down at Officer Faulkner, execution-style (hitting him once and missing three times) has been central to our campaign publicizing the newly discovered Polakoff photos. It has now been put to the test by journalists Linn Washington Jr. and Dave Lindorff, who test-fired bullets into cement and gave the photo of these bullet marks to Robert Nelson, a photo analyst for NASA. Nelson compared it to a photo of the pavement where Officer Faulkner was found, used advanced photo enhancement technology, and concluded that there are no bullet marks in the crime scene photo, which must be visible for the prosecution scenario of the shooting to be true.
Read the full article here, also featured in a shorter version by The Philadelphia Daily News, in full at Black Agenda Report and reported on by Philebrity.
Big Noise Film "Justice on Trial" Confronts FOP-endorsed Film "The Barrel of A Gun"
Justice on Trial was shown at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 21
JUSTICE ON TRIAL - The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal from bignoisetactical on Vimeo.Justice On Trial: The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, narrated by Democracy Now! co-host Juan Gonzalez premiered the same day as filmmaker Tigre Hill's film The Barrel of a Gun, an anti-Mumia hit piece. Justice On Trial producer, Johanna Fernandez, says: “We decided to confront Tigre’s film with a more thoughtful exploration of the case after we saw the series of initial trailers that he released six months ago."
Read Journalists for Mumia's article Media Justice On Trial In Philadelphia --The duel of two films about Mumia Abu-Jamal
IN THE NEWS: Democracy Now! interviews Johanna Fernandez and Dave Lindorff II Philadelphia Inquirer (1, 2, and a video citing Kenneth Freeman and the Polakoff photos) II Philadelphia Daily News (1, 2) II ABC 6 II The Tartan
"THE BARREL OF A GUN" COVERAGE: Michael Smerconish II FOX 29 w/ Executive Producer Kevin Kelly II FOX 29 w/ DA Seth Williams II Philebrity II Philadelphia Magazine says Hill's film is "deeply, viscerally bad...If I didn’t know that this movie was made by a black man, I would think it was made by a bigoted white one."
US Supreme Court Rules Against Mumia
On Tuesday, January 19, the US Supreme Court granted the Philadelphia DA's petition for a writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court has vacated the lower federal courts' 2001/2008 rulings which had overturned Mumia's death penalty and granted a new sentencing-phase jury trial if the death penalty was to be reinstated. The case has now been remanded to the Third Circuit Court, which will now decide whether or not to re-impose the death sentence without the sentencing trial. At issue is how the recent "Spisak" ruling (which reinstated the death penalty for Spisak) impacts Mumia's case, since both involved the "Mills" issue of confusing jury instructions. About this, Mumia's former attorney Robert R. Bryan says "What occurred in Mumia's case is different both procedurally and factually from the jury instructions in Spisak.RELATED: SF Bay View interviews Pam Africa II Linn Washington radio interview and article II Jeff Mackler article II CNN II Washington Post II Philadelphia Inquirer
SIGN PETITIONS TO: President Obama and Attorney General Holder
On November 12, Supporters Hold Press Conference in Washington DC to Demand Federal Civil Rights Investigation for Mumia!
New Videos From San Francisco Released in Solidarity
We have just released our videos from the Nov. 8 solidarity event in San Francisco. Watch the Videos Here.
RELATED: Written Report and Photos from Nov. 12 Wash. DC Action by Betsey and Joe Piette II Linn Washington article: Glenn Beck's Mumia Obsession: Fox Finds a New Black Boogeyman II Jeff Mackler article: Mumia Abu-Jamal faces new execution threat II Munich City Council Passes Resolution for Mumia Abu-Jamal II Legal Intelligencer series about Mumia: April 7, October 12, October 14 II Legal Update from former attorney Robert R. Bryan
Read more about the campaign demanding a civil rights investigation here.
View/Download the Nov. 12 flyer here.
NAACP Calls For Civil Rights Investigation
VIDEO: Pam Africa speaks at NAACP State Conference in Pennsylvania
On April 6, 2009, the US Supreme Court rejected Mumia Abu-Jamal's bid for a new guilt-phase trial, but the Court still has not ruled on the DA's effort to execute Abu-Jamal WITHOUT a new sentencing hearing.
As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, supporters responded by organizing a campaign calling for a federal investigation into Mumia's case. At the NAACP National Convention in July, a resolution was passed calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate Mumia's case, as well as those of Troy Davis, Marshall Eddie Conway and Reggie Clemons. PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN HERE
RELATED: Video of Baltimore NAACP Statement II Philadelphia Tribune article on NAACP and Mumia II NAACP's Julian Bond speaks about Mumia on Democracy Now! II Photos from NAACP National Convention II Linn Washington Article on Civil Rights Violations II Author J Patrick O'Connor's article and video interview about the "Mumia Exception" II Mumia's April 6 response II Shows from April on WBAI, Democracy Now!, Uprising Radio, and KBOO
Read, Download, Print the new ballistics flyer explaining why the DA scenario is impossible!
The Fantasies of Joe McGill - a response to the trailer for the new film "The Barrel of A Gun"
The trailer for the new film about Mumia has just been released (watch here). The film is scheduled for release in December, and all available evidence indicates that it will be extremely biased against Mumia.
The title "The Barrel of A Gun" refers to a quote from Mao Zedong, that Mumia cited when he was the 15 year old Lieutenant of Information for the Philadelphia branch of the Black Panther Party (BPP), speaking about the murder of BPP members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark by the Chicago police and the FBI in 1969: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”
In this new article, German author Michael Schiffmann confronts the film's pernicious title and explains why the scenario presented by prosecutor Joe McGill is ballistically impossible.
Read Schiffmann's Article Here (or a PDF with extra graphics)
Photo: The body of Chicago BPP leader Fred Hampton is carried away by smiling police. For more, watch The Murder of Fred Hampton.
The Angola Three: Torture in Our Own Backyard
They were framed for murder after organizing a Black Panther Party prison chapter at the infamous Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Together, Herman Wallace, Robert King, and Albert Woodfox have spent more than 100 years in solitary confinement. Read the full story at Alternet.
Call In Campaign for MOVE 9 Parole Hearings!
The remaining eight of the MOVE 9 are now eligible for parole after being unfairly denied last year. Please visit our special blog page for information on the support campaign.(MORE BACKGROUND HERE)
Mumia's New Book On Jailhouse Lawyers
"More Than A Book Party" events held around US
(VIDEO: Angela Davis in Oakland, April 24)
Purchase Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A., directly from City Lights Books. Read the foreword by former political prisoner Angela Y. Davis and an interview with Mumia about his new book. In Mumia's words, "This is the story of law learned, not in the ivory towers of multi-billion-dollar endowed universities, but in the bowels of the slave-ship, in the hidden, dank dungeons of America."
"More Than A Book Party" events were held in the US around April 24, to mark Mumia's birthday and the release of Jailhouse Lawyers. Read more about events in: Philadelphia (including a Revolutionary Week of Events), NYC, Oakland, Los Angeles, Boston, Portland, Seattle & Olympia, WA, Houston, Washington, DC, and Baltimore.
Read reviews by: Carolina Saldaña, Linn Washington, Jr., J. Patrick O'Connor, Jaisal Noor, Todd S. Burroughs and Kiilu Nyasha
Mumia Abu-Jamal Faces the US Supreme Court
The December 6 week of international solidarity links his struggle to that of all political prisoners
View the full photo/video/text article!
Watch Journalists for Mumia's video report from the Dec. 6 protest in Philadelphia, along with extended video footage of the presentation at the 13th and Locust crime scene (download the accompanying presentation flyer or view the online version) and the DVD video shown at Dec.6 events around the US: "Fighting for Mumia's Freedom: a report from Philadelphia".
On Dec. 19, 2008, Mumia filed his appeal to the US Supreme Court, asking it to consider his case for a new guilt-phase trial. Last month, the Philadelphia DA filed its separate appeal to the court asking to have Abu-Jamal executed without a new sentencing-phase trial. The deadline for Mumia to respond to the DA's appeal is January 21, 2009.
RELATED: NAACP LDF Files Amicus Brief at US Supreme Court II PVN's video report from Dec. 6 II Reports from the US, Venezuela, England, Austria, Germany (Hamburg and Berlin), and Mexico II From Mumia Abu-Jamal: Free the Atenco 13! II Legal Update II GeoClan.com interview with Hans Bennett II Media Mouse review of The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal II POCC Interview With Mumia II Phil Africa's Message to Mexico City Protest
**View / Download Updated Flyer Here!**
The Philadelphia DA Will Appeal to Execute Mumia Without a New Penalty-Phase Trial!
On Monday, Oct. 20, a legal update from Mumia's lawyer announced that the DA is appealing to the US Supreme Court regarding the 3rd Circuit’s March 27, 2008 affirmation of Judge William Yohn’s 2001 decision, which 'overturned' the death penalty and stated that if the DA wants to re-impose the death sentence, they must hold a new penalty-phase jury trial. The DA will submit their petition by Nov. 19, 2008.Simultaneously, Mumia is appealing the 3rd Circuit Court decision denying a new guilt-phase trial or a preliminary hearing that could have led to a new guilt phase trial. The Supreme Court has granted his request for a 60-day extension, so he will submit his petition by Dec. 19, 2008.
DOWNLOAD special legal update flyer here!
BREAKING! US Supreme Court Rejects Mumia Abu-Jamal's PCRA appeal
Click here for our full report.On Monday, October 6, the US Supreme Court rejected Mumia's PCRA appeal based on the affidavits of Kenneth Pate and Yvette Williams.
This is completely separate from the appeal to the US Supreme Court re. the recent Third Circuit decision that denied a new guilt phase trial. The deadline for Mumia and the DA to appeal this to the US Supreme Court is October 20, unless either side applies for a 60 day extension.
New British Film About Mumia Showing in NYC and Oakland
For the first time since its US Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January, "In Prison My Whole Life" will be shown in the US-- at the Urbanworld Film Festival in NYC on Sept. 11 & 13, and at the CR10 Conference in Oakland, CA, on Sept. 26.
SEE: the new interview with Livia Giuggioli Firth marking the NYC premiere, the Oct., 2007 interview with William Francome, and Linn Washington Jr.'s new article: Screening Mumia: The Suppression of Dissent in America
BREAKING: Third Circuit Court Rules Against Mumia Abu-Jamal's 'en banc' appeal
July 22, 2008
Read the response from Mumia's attorney, and articles by Linn Washington Jr, Jeff Mackler, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.Aug. 9 Town Hall Meeting for Mumia in Philadelphia!
VIDEO: Fourth of July Protest at the Liberty Bell
Supporters Mobilize as Mumia Appeals for New Trial
On June 27, Mumia Abu-Jamal filed an appeal (officially accepted on July 7) of a March 27 US Third Circuit Court ruling that rejected his bid for a new guilt-phase trial.
On the 4th of July in Philadelphia, over 75 supporters of Abu-Jamal gathered at the Liberty Bell, including Rebel Diaz, Sundiata Sadiq, Theresa Shoatz, and Pam Africa (View Photos and Video).
ALSO SEE: 4th of July report by Betsey Piette; photos by Joe Piette II New articles on The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal by Carolina Saldaña, Linn Washington Jr., and Dissident Voice II Philadelphia events for Mumia and the MOVE 9 on Aug. 8 & 9
April 19 Phila.
(Also Watch our video from the March 31 demo)
Outraged by the March 27 denial of a new guilt phase trial for Mumia, 500-1000 people gathered at the Federal Courthouse, circled the Liberty Bell, and marched to City Hall, where speakers included Cynthia McKinney, Julia Wright, and Harold Wilson.
VIEW the PHOTOS and VIDEO, featuring an exclusive interview with Veronica Jones about her new book.
We released our newspaper (see PDF) on April 19, and passed out over 2,600 copies.
SEE: Free Speech Radio News II People's Video Network II Demo at US Embassy in Mexico City II POCC Block Report Radio Show II Betsey Piette's A19 report II Alternet report II Leonard Peltier for Mumia II FIST Statement II LGBT Rainbow Flags for Mumia II Imani Henry's Podcast II Cynthia McKinney Speech II Photos of KSS Racists at Geno's II Call to Pressure Officials II Michael Schiffmann's new articles on Judge Sabo, The Batson Ruling, and Billy Cook's Trial
Third Circuit Court Denies Mumia a New Guilt-Phase Trial
While ruling against the three issues that could have led to a new guilt-phase trial, the court affirmed Judge Yohn's 2001 decision overturning the death sentence. If the District Attorney wants to re-instate the death sentence, the DA must call for a new penalty-phase jury trial that would be limited to the question of life in prison without a chance of parole or a death sentence. See responses from Pam Africa, former lead attorney Robert R. Bryan (on Democracy Now! and Free Radio Santa Cruz), the full text of the court decision (including Judge Ambro's dissenting opinion regarding the Batson issue), The Natiional Lawyers Guild and the articles by the Philadelphia Inquirer (w/ special archive page), Dave Lindorff (also in the Philadelphia Inquirer) , Linn Washington Jr., Jeff Mackler on NPR with Maureen Faulkner Michael Schiffmann's statement on behalf of The German Network Against the Death Penalty and to Free Mumia, and from Mexico.
Journalists for Mumia is extremely dissappointed and outraged by this decision. There were emergency demonstrations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.
MUMIA RESPONDS TO THE COURT RULING in a new interview with the POCC's Minister of Information JR and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr on The Block Report Radio Show and in The SF Bay View Newspaper. Click here to LISTEN or READ it.
DOWNLOAD the Press Pack from the March 31 Press Conference at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia as a pdf or a word file. Read Betsey Piette's report, as well as The Philadelphia Inquirer article covering the event!
**New articles on O'Connor's book by Carolina Saldaña, Linn Washington Jr., Hans Bennett, and radio shows Law and Disorder, Jazz and Justice, and KOWA**
VIDEO interview with J. Patrick O'Connor
Author of the new book, The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Just Released in May!
(WATCH PARTS 1, 2, and 3)
On May 1, the day of the book's release, AJN interviewed O'Connor at Philadelphia City Hall. The next day, The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal was featured in The NY Times: "Book Asserts Black Reporter Didn't Kill White Officer in '81."
Read our exclusive interview from April, focusing on the frame-up, Kenneth Freeman, the March 27 court ruling, and Frank Rizzo's legacy.
O’Connor argues that the actual shooter was Kenneth Freeman and he criticizes the media, who “bought into the prosecution’s story line early on and has never been able to see this case for what it is: a framing of an innocent and peace loving man.” For more on “The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal” we are featuring an excerpt, a previous interview, O’Connor’s review of “Murdered By Mumia,” and his response to the March 27 ruling.
MOVE 9 Parole Hearings
This week, MOVE was informed that Delbert and Phil's parole interview is "postponed indefinitely". On May 10, Mike and Eddie were denied parole, which followed the April 22 denial of parole for the three women: Debbie, Janine, Janet. Chuck will be eligible six months later than the others. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that parole was denied to the women on grounds that they minimized or denied the "nature and circumstances" of the offense, "refused to accept responsibility" and lacked remorse, and the "negative recommendation" by the prosecutor. Read responses from both MOVE, Journalists for Mumia, and Linn Washington Jr.
Background on the Parole Hearings
30 years after the Aug. 8, 1978 police siege on MOVE's West Philadelphia home, the remaining eight prisoners are eligible for parole (see Philadelphia Inquirer, Black Commentator, and Metro articles). Please contact the Parole Board and sign the online petition (already signed by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky) .
In a recent interview, veteran Philadelphia journalist Linn Washington Jr. cites his sources in the police department who told him that Officer James Ramp was actually shot by police gunfire, and not MOVE. Audio Clips: Was Officer Ramp Killed By Police Gunfire?; The Illegal Destruction of MOVE's House; Manipulation of Evidence and Media Bias; Ed Rendell and Prison Guard Violence Against MOVE; Unfair Parole Stipulations; and May 13, 1985.
See our MOVE 9 Parole blog for updates, and be sure to watch the 2004 MOVE documentary narrated by Howard Zinn.
PA Supreme Court Rejects PCRA Appeal
On Feb. 19, in a ruling unrelated to the pending US Third Circuit Court decision, the PA Supreme Court rejected Mumia's appeal of a 2005 ruling, which had rejected his PCRA petition(AP and Philadelphia Inquirer).
Pam Africa, Robert R. Bryan, Dave Lindorff, Michael Schiffmann, and Linn Washington Jr. respond here.
With the pending federal ruling now more crucial than ever, "day after" demonstrations are planned.
Presentation Videos Online
"Murdered by Mumia?" Press Conference
Our recent slideshow presentation of the Polakoff photos is now available on You Tube and Google Video.
The "Murdered by Mumia?" press conference has just been made into a short video: "This government, using corporate media, is laying the groundwork for a murder." (VIEW PARTS ONE AND TWO)
This is also available UNEDITED in two parts on Google Video (1/2, 2/2) and in 11 parts on You Tube: Hans Bennett, David A. Love, Dave Lindorff (1/2, 2/2), Linn Washington, Jr. (1/2, 2/2), Pam Africa (1/2, 2/2), and questions about The Polakoff Photos (1/2, 2/2), Media Bias, and The May 17 Oral Arguments.
Along with The SF Bay View, the photos have now been spotlighted by Reuters, NBC's Today Show, National Public Radio, Indymedia.org, Counterpunch, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Black Commentator, Dissident Voice, Media Channel, Workers World, and The Philadelphia Weekly.
WHYY Asks Maureen Faulkner about the Photos
When asked about PO Forbes' handling of the guns, Faulkner said: "I don't know if his
hands are actually on the grip of the gun, it seems like he has his finger holding
the gun through the actual trigger part, but not on the handle of the gun. At that
time, I'm sure the evidence was somewhat contaminated."
Listen to the next day's debate between Dave Lindorff and John Hayden via
Real Player
or MP3.
NBC Today Show Spotlights Crime Scene Photos!
Read Abu-Jamal-News.com's Analysis of the Dec.6 show, including Michael Schiffmann's response to Maureen Faulkner's criticism of the new photos.
Listen to the Dec. 6 WBAI Show
reflecting on The Today Show featuring Suzanne Ross, Orie Lumumba, Hans Bennett, Linn Washington Jr, and Pam Africa.
Reuters Spotlights Crime Scene Photos!
At the "Murdered By Mumia?" press conference, journalists and activists present evidence of an unfair trial and Mumia's innocence.
The press conference featured a presentation of the new crime scene photos. Guest speakers at the conference included
David A. Love,
Dave Lindorff,
Linn Washington Jr,
and Pam Africa of ICFFMAJ.
Also check out David A. Love's Black Commentator report on the press conference.
MySpace and YouTube Videos
We have just started our own YouTube and MySpace pages, with online videos like the McMahon Phila DA Training Video and Framing an Execution (about 20/20).
Also check out:
Dynamax feat. Chuck.D: "Get It Started",
April 24,
LGBT Forces,
Mumia Abu Jamal; Justice Denied,
"Behind These Walls",
Meditation on Mumia,
Phila FOP hq,
Harry Belafonte,
Pam Africa,
Kathleen Cleaver,
Sonia Sanchez, and
more.
Photos Bolster Claims of Mumia's Innocence and Unfair Trial
by David A. Love, The Black Commentator
"A group of journalists is determined to seek a fair retrial of death row prisoner,
noted journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, and they point to
evidence they say provides further proof of his innocence: photos from the crime
scene that the jury never had the chance to see."
David Love's article is featured in the
SF Bay View Newspaper, which is now the first publication in the US (besides
Abu-Jamal News) to publish Polakoff's photo of Officer Forbes mishandling the guns.
The FBI's War on Black Liberation:
COINTELPRO and the Panthers
By Ron Jacobs, Counterpunch, October 20 / 21, 2007
While also spotlighting the cases of The SF 8, Veronza Bowers, Jr., and Jamil Abdullah
Al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown), Ron Jacobs writes that the new Mumia Abu-Jamal crime
scene photos in German author Michael Schiffmann's book:
"cast more doubt on the state's
case by apparently disproving the prosecution's statements that Mumia stood over
Officer Faulkner and fired at him several times. The photos show no marks from the
bullets that were supposedly fired in this fashion. In fact, the sidewalk was not
damaged in any way. Schiffmann goes on to write: 'it is thus no question anymore
whether the scenario presented by the prosecution at Abu-Jamal's trial is true. It is
clearly not, because it is physically and ballistically impossible.' The remainder of
the photos show a scenario that constantly contradicts the testimony of officers and
witnesses (apparently coerced) and the nature of the scene they described in Mumia's
original trial."
In Prison My Whole Life
This new British documentary about Mumia premiered at the London Film Festival
and at Rome's International Film Festival on October 25
(ScreenDaily.com review).
Read our
exclusive interview with William Francome, who reveals for the first time that
In Prison My Whole Life prominently
showcases the newly discovered crime scene photos, featuring interviews with German
author Michael Schiffmann and Philadelphia photographer Pedro P. Polakoff.
Watch the trailer:
Courtroom Audio: May 17 Oral Arguments
Journalists for Mumia Abu-Jamal presents the courtroom audio from
Mumia Abu-Jamal's May 17 oral arguments before the US Third Circuit
Court of Appeals.
Listen to the unedited,
complete 2 hr. 15 min MP3 file or listen to the
short excerpts selected by Abu-Jamal-News.com:
- Marching Up San Juan Hill?
- You Don't Deny That McGill's Statements Were Inappropriate?
- A Violation of the Bill of Rights?
- Jenny Dawley
- Peremptory Strikes
- McMahon Videotape
- Robert R. Bryan's Closing Arguments
- and more
Racism and Injustice:
The Trials of Mumia Abu-Jamal
By Margaret Prescod, Pacifica Radio National Special, August, 2007. Features Danny Glover, Linn Washington, Jr., Dave Lindorff, Robert R. Bryan, Michael Schiffmann, and Mumia himself.
Mumia Abu-Jamal: On the Road to Freedom?
By Jeff Mackler
It is difficult to imagine that the systematic race and class bias
that permeate America's criminal "justice" system could be set aside and that the
nation's most famed and innocent death row inmate and political prisoner of 25 years,
Mumia Abu-Jamal, could win a new trial and freedom.
But that is precisely what appeared to be unfolding on May 17 in the
packed Ceremonial Courtroom of the Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia as a three-judge
panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in full view of 200 riveted
Mumia supporters and others from across the country and around the world, mercilessly
queried Pennsylvania's lead prosecutor and persecutor, Hugh Burns.
In contrast, Mumia's three-person legal team of Robert R. Bryan,
Judith Ritter, and NAACP Legal Defense Fund amicus curiae (friend of the court) counsel
Christina Swarns appeared to have the rapt, if not sympathetic, attention of the three
judges during most the two-and-a-half-hour proceeding.
Attention, MOVE: This is America!
The MOVE 9 prisoners were sentenced 30-100 years for the death of Philadelphia Police Officer James Ramp during the August 8, 1978 police assault on MOVE's headquarters. The remaining MOVE 9 prisoners (Merle Africa suspiciously died in 1998) are still in prison despite (1) extensive destruction of evidence by the police and (2) powerful evidence that Officer Ramp was actually killed by police "friendly fire."
The eight remaining MOVE prisoners will be eligible for parole in 2008, and MOVE has begun to organize around the upcoming hearings.
Mumia Abu-Jamal was one of the few journalists who reported fairly on MOVE. The frightening examples of illegality and fraud used to convict the MOVE 9 provide a proper historical context for Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial.
