Philadelphia prosecutors have announced they will no longer seek the death penalty for the imprisoned journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. For decades, Abu-Jamal has argued racism by the trial judge and prosecutors led to his 1982 conviction of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. Two years ago, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower judge who set aside Abu-Jamal’s death sentence after finding jurors were given confusing instructions that encouraged them to choose death rather than a life sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court then ordered the court to re-examine the decision.
In April, that ruling was upheld, and prosecutors had to determine whether Abu-Jamal would get a new sentencing hearing in court before a new jury. On Wednesday, Philadelphia prosecutor Seth Williams said he opted for a life sentence rather than face more lengthy appeals. Pennsylvania law now requires Abu-Jamal to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
I discovered these amazing people thanks to you, PW. They need al the help that they can get…
http://ip.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=9422.0
The reason that they did not go for the death penalty was that they would have had to have a jury trial — the “death phase” of the two-step death penalty thing. It was one thing to try and convict Mumia when he was a relative unknown (fairly famous in Phillie but not internationally). Nearly every witness lied. The ballistic evidence was nonexistent. The judge (Judge Sabo) would leave the courtroom during testimony. Now nearly thirty years later, with the death phase thrown out and everyone but Mrs. Faulker and the FOP in doubt about Mumia’s guilt, they cannot empanel another jury.
Has Mumia spent ONE DAY in general population since his death penalty was first vacated? Will he EVER be off of Death Row? Maybe now.
If you’ve never head Mumia’s voice — here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D1geo5TDU0
What Fe said. Thank you for posting this, Amanda.
Finally. At least we’re one step forward. We need another three or four.