Prosecutors announced Wednesday that they will no longer pursue the death penalty against former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison for gunning down a white police officer nearly 30 years ago.Read the rest here.
The decision by District Attorney Seth Williams, made with the support of the officer's widow and the city police commissioner, comes after nearly 30 years of legal battles over the racially charged case.
Abu-Jamal was convicted of fatally shooting Philadelphia police Officer Daniel Faulkner on Dec. 9, 1981. He was sentenced to death after his trial the following year.
Abu-Jamal, a one-time journalist who has been incarcerated in a Pennsylvania prison, has garnered worldwide support from those who believe he was the victim of a biased justice system. Hundreds of vocal supporters and death-penalty opponents regularly turn out for court hearings in his case, even though Abu-Jamal is rarely entitled to attend.
His message resonated particularly on college campuses and in the movie and music industries — actors Mike Farrell and Tim Robbins were among dozens of luminaries who used a New York Times ad to advocate for a new trial, and the Beastie Boys played a concert to raise money for Abu-Jamal's defense fund.
Good. Now let the murderous SOB rot in prison for the rest of his life and maybe the rest of the world can try to forget he existed. I don't support the death penalty, but that's not the same thing as saying he is innocent (he isn't). His death sentence has given him far too much free publicity and turned a truly odious character into some kind of pop martyr. Shame on the left for idolizing an unrepentant cold blooded killer.
If prisons are as overcrowded back there as they are here in SoCal then he's be out in 3 months with time served. it's the American way.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sayin'
You're that sure he's guilty?
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