Mumia Abu-Jamal’s death sentence was overturned by a federal judge in Philadelphia on Tuesday marking a major victory for his supporters. But the world’s most famous death-row inmate was denied a new trial.
Mumia Abu-Jamal’s death sentence was overturned by a federal judge in Philadelphia on Tuesday marking a major victory for his supporters. But the world’s most famous death-row inmate was denied a new trial.
In a 272-page ruling, Judge William Yohn determined that Mumia, a celebrated journalist and Black Panther, deserved a new sentence hearing within the next 180 days. If the hearing does not take place he will be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Abu-Jamal’s conviction still stands for killing a Philadelphia police officer on December 9, 1981.
Countless anti-death penalty and anti-racist activists have cited Mumia’s case as a prime example of the racist and unjust judicial system in the country.
“With the Mumia Abu-Jamal case, I cannot say with absolute certainty what happened that night in Philadelphia, whether Mumia is guilty or not,” said historian Howard Zinn in a recent online chat. “But several things are very clear to me. He did not receive a fair trial. The justice system is stacked against poor people, against people of , and against political radicals. And Mumia Abu-Jamal fits all three criteria…I think the entire justice system in our country needs to be re-examined.”
Hundreds of organizations around the globe have taken up his case.
Two weeks ago, hundreds gathered in his hometown of Philadelphia to demand his release on the 20th anniversary of the Faulkner shooting. The peaceful demonstration was marred with police violence. At least seven protesters were arrested and beaten.
Author: NYC IMC
News Service: indymedia.org
URL: http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=107705&group=webcast
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