Posted on 12/04/2007 8:56:05 AM PST by SmithL
PHILADELPHIA, (AP) -- It's a case that has been examined and re-examined for more than two decades: the murder of a white police officer by a former Black Panther.
Mumia Abu-Jamal's fatal shooting of Daniel Faulkner has become one of the most prominent death row cases in the world. But throughout 26 years of litigation, one part of the story has been largely overshadowed.
The officer's widow, Maureen Faulkner, talks about her side of the case in "Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain and Injustice," a book written with political pundit and conservative radio talk-show host Michael Smerconish. The book is being released Thursday by a small publisher, The Lyons Press, an imprint of The Globe Pequot Press.
"It's been a therapy for me. It really has. The truth is now on paper on what happened the night Danny was murdered," Faulkner said in a recent interview.
The memoir chronicles Faulkner's attempt to rebuild her life as she fights Abu-Jamal's numerous appeals, travels the country to debunk what she calls myths about the case and strives to ensure that her husband is not forgotten.
Daniel Faulkner was a 25-year-old newlywed when he was gunned down Dec. 9, 1981. A jury concluded Abu-Jamal shot Faulkner several times after seeing the officer scuffle with Abu-Jamal's brother, who had been pulled over in downtown Philadelphia. The verdict has withstood numerous appeals.
But Abu-Jamal, a one-time journalist, has garnered worldwide support for claims that he was the victim of a biased U.S. justice system. His message has 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...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
They haven’t executed that worthless piece of misery yet?
I thought he was dead.
His message has resonated particularly on college campuses and in the movie and music industries
—
yep...................
Mumia Abu-jamal murdered officer Faulkner...period.
There is no dispute.
Witnesses saw him shoot Faulkner.
Mumia was shot by Faulkner.
Faulkner was killed by a gun owned by Mumia, incidentally, said gun was found on Mumia at the scene.
At the hospital after the shooting, Mumia admitted to killing Faulkner.
To this day, Mumia has never offered a contradictory explanation.
Fry Mumia!!!
I do believe Mumia's sentence has been commuted to life-without-parole. He's off death row.
I think they’re still appealing.
It’s gone back and forth. His lawyers appeal, then the Commonwealth appeals. Best I could find is that arguments were heard in May to re-instate the death penalty.
Fry Mumia!!!
Want to get more riled up?
http://www.mumia.org//freedom.now/
It’s a super fun page of crapola.
Fry Mumia!!!!
On his website, the explanation now seems to be “he (Faulkner) brought it on himself”.
So, a founding member of a chapter of the Black Panther's is allowed to 'report' for NPR?!
If an appeal EVER succeeds it will be the biggest farce ever perpetrated on the US justice system.
It ain't Mumia!
What is the current theory for Mumia, that he did not shoot Officer Faulkner, or that it was justified?
bump for later
I hope that someone out there donates a copy of the book to the library at Evergreen State College.
That leftist hellhole had Mumia as their commencement speak about 5 years ago.
On a sidenote, I’d like to see Caterpillar donate a copy of their corporate history to the library as well. Being that Rachel Corrie attended that school, I don’t think the irony would be missed by many.
My current theory is that some people just like criminals more than they like police.
The last time I read anything on the subject the claim was Mumia saw his brother being hassled by the officer & he was attacked when attempting to intervene.
However, Mumia has had a tough time convincing the board thus far as the last shot or two was execution style in the downed officer’s face. Witnesses or no that little detail is tough to justify.
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