Free Mumia Abu-Jamal

We the undersigned and the Clergy Alliance for Justice International are calling on President Barack Obama to grant a Presidential Pardon for Mumia Abu Jamal because he has been the victim of a broken criminal justice system. We are calling for his immediate release from prison so he can live the rest of his life in dignity.

%u201CWe should never allow the innocent to languish in jail when we have the power to bring about change. Mumia was a respected individual in the community who fought

all his life for human rights, and I cannot sit idly by and let the shoulders I stand on languish by the wayside for a crime he did not commit,%u201D said Minister Omar Wilks who

serves as president of the Clergy Alliance for Justice International.

INTRODUCTION

On December 9th 1981, Mumia Abu-Jamal was filling out his log sheet when he heard gunshots. Abu-Jamal then saw his brother Billy Cook staggering through the street disoriented. When he got out of his cab, he was shot in the chest and then severely beaten and run head-on into a telephone poll. Later on, Mumia Abu-Jamal was accused of murdering police officer Daniel Faulkner and was convicted on that accusation.

Mumia Abu-Jamal possesses an immense amount of innocence factors. As I go through these innocence factors, please note that when Chris Rock introduced Barack Obama, Obama claimed to be "tired of reading about Jena, tired of reading about nooses, and tired of hearing about a justice department that does not serve justice."

THE PHONY CONFESSION

According to the affidavit of Kenneth Pate, police officers coerced Priscilla Durham, into claiming that Mumia Abu-Jamal confessed to murdering Officer Faulkner saying "I shot the motherf****r and I hope the motherf****r dies". In Police Officer Gary Wakshul's original report, Wakshul claimed "the Negro male made no comment". Officer Stephen Trombetta, assigned to guard Mumia Abu-Jamal, made several reports that Abu-Jamal made no confession. The people who reported that Mumia Abu-Jamal made a confession, did not speak to Mumia Abu-Jamal on the day they reported it. Gary Wakshul, before making a PCRA testimony contradicting his original report, was savagely beaten by undercover cops in front of a judge (Wakshul was working as a court crier) with the motive unexplained to this day.

POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL BIAS

Frank Rizzo, previous mayor of Philadelphia, PA, who can only be described as a tyrant, threatened Mumia Abu-Jamal claiming "they (the people) believe what you say and it has to stop! And I hope it's in my career. You're going to be held responsible and accountable for what you do." Frank Rizzo also picked Albert Sabo to be the judge of Mumia Abu-Jamal's trial.

Albert Sabo, put more people to death than any other sitting judge in the United States of America. According to the affidavit of Terri Maurer-Carter, Albert Sabo also claimed before Mumia Abu-Jamal's trial began, "Yeah I'm going to help 'em fry the n****r". Albert Sabo also referred to Sonia Sanchez, a poet who testified on Mumia Abu-Jamal's behalf as a "friend of a cop-killer's".

TRIAL FLAWS

Albert Sabo colluded with the prosecutor and the defense lawyer.

Mumia Abu-Jamal was not allowed to be his own lawyer.

The prosecutor, Joe McGill, removed 11 out of 13 African Americans from the jury using 10 out of 15 peremptory charges. This is prima facie evidence. McGill also requested that Mumia Abu-Jamal be put to death because of his recent membership with the Black Panther Party. The affidavits of Yvette Williams and Kenneth Pate also reveal that the prosecution persuaded witnesses to lie. Joe McGill also asked Mumia Abu-Jamal at his sentencing hearing "do you believe in the phrase 'political power grows out the barrel of a gun'"?

The defense lawyer, Anthony Jackson, did not ask Mumia Abu-Jamal what happened the night Daniel Faulkner was murdered and did not interview a single witness. Jackson also did not have the funds in defending a capital case. After the case was over, Anthony Jackson also claimed that there were things he could've and should've done during Abu-Jamal's trial. The book "The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal" by J. Patrick O'Connor, also asks why Anthony Jackson did not engage in certain practices. In Anthony Jackson's closing statement, before the jury made a verdict, Jackson asked where they did and didn't have the death penalty. Anthony Jackson also found Gary Wakshul's original report too late in the trial and the DA claimed Wakshul was on vacation (even though Wakshul was instructed to remain in his home), in turn Albert Sabo did not allow Anthony Jackson to find Gary Wakshul and have him testify.

INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT, AND PRESSURE

Veronica Jones testified in 1982 (originally) that she saw 2 men jogging away from the scene before police arrived. She, however, was coerced by police into contradicting her original testimony. When Veronica Jones testified in 1982 that she was persuaded by police into making false testimony, Albert Sabo blocked it from the jury. Veronica Jones was also arrested at a PCRA hearing for Mumia Abu-Jamal for a crime that she was already arrested for.

William Singletary, who saw the entire incident, claimed that his original statements were ripped up and that he had to sign a statement that the police made for him.

According to the affidavit of Yvette Williams, Cynthia White told her that she was coerced by police. Pamela Jenkins also testified in 1997 that White told her in late 1981 that she was being pressured into falsely testifying against Mumia Abu-Jamal and that she was scared for her life. Jenkins also claimed that police tried to pressure her into making false testimony against Mumia Abu-Jamal. Veronica Jones also testified in 1982 that White was given police favors in return for her false testimony.

Dessie Hightower claimed that he saw a "running man". Hightower claimed that he faced police harassment after he made his testimony and was even polygraph tested. Hightower passed the polygraph test.

A private investigator that Mumia Abu-Jamal's previous lead attorney, Leonard Weinglass hired, reported hearing of threats that the Philadelphia Police would "take care" of Abu-Jamal's defense team.

Ronald Freeman, brother of Kenneth Freeman, (Kenneth Freeman has been implicated to be the actual shooter by many) threatened Leonard Weinglass. Ronald Freeman threatened that if Weinglass mentioned his brother, Weinglass would be in serious danger.

The FOP has pressured people. Indeed the FOP pressured Chaka Fattah, a Pennsylvania politician, because of his support for Abu-Jamal so much that Fattah ended up signing a bill that was against a new trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal. Fattah also voted along with 367 other Democrats and Republicans for a House resolution condemning the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis for naming a street in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal, criminal charges were also filed against the French cities and threats were administered to the citizens of St. Denis, France by the FOP. The FOP has also threatened the owners of "The Philadelphia Clef Club" because of an event that they were going to hold in regards to Mumia Abu-Jamal; the event was subsequently re-located to the "AFSC" on 15th and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia, PA. The FOP has also harassed people who didn't vote for anti-Mumia resolutions.

The NYPD also threatened the owners of the previous "Remote Lounge" because of an event that they were going to hold in regards to Mumia Abu-Jamal called "Mumia 911". The Remote Lounge had to cancel the event.

NPR's show "All Things Considered" was going to allow Mumia Abu-Jamal to give a 3 minute commentary, however due to heavy police pressure and Daniel Faulkner's widow, Maureen Faulkner, hiring an airplane pilot to drive around with a banner proclaiming "All Things Considered Supports a cop-killer", the broadcast was cancelled.

John Street, one of Philadelphia PA's previous mayors, claimed that Mumia Abu-Jamal "had not received justice", Street even gave a French Delegation that supported Mumia Abu-Jamal awards. Later on, John Street was intimidated and poli-tricked into not correcting a statement that Maureen Faulkner made, the statement was that "Street apologized to her and said that Mumia is guilty."

There are also an immense amount of bullies on http://www.youtube.com/ who have made concerted efforts to suppress Mumia Abu-Jamal supporters.

KENNETH FREEMAN

*Cynthia White, who asked William Singletary what happened after the shooting, pointed out Kenneth Freeman as the shooter in a lineup.

*Pedro K. Polakoff who took photos of the crime scene heard police officers talking about "the passenger in Billy Cook's car" being the actual shooter (the passenger was Kenneth Freeman).

*Arnold Howard's permit, which Kenneth Freeman gave to Daniel Faulkner before Faulkner was killed, was on Daniel Faulkner's chest after the shooting; the DA removed it.

*Billy Cook, in his sworn affidavit, claimed "Later Poppi [Kenneth Freeman's nickname] told me about a plan to kill Faulkner, he said he participated in the shooting." Billy Cook also claimed in his affidavit that Freeman was "wearing his green army jacket."

*6 witnesses also reported to seeing someone in a green army jacket. These witnesses are Mark Scanlan, Albert Magilton, Officer James Forbes, Officer Stephen Trombetta, Robert Pigford and William Singletary. Abu-Jamal was wearing a blue-quilted ski jacket and Cook was wearing a blue Nehru-style jacket.

THE ARNOLD BEVERLY CONFESSION

Mumia Abu-Jamal rejected the Arnold Beverly confession. Judge Pamela Dembe referred to the confession as untimely. Mumia Abu-Jamal's previous lead attorney, Leonard Weinglass, did not want the confession in court. Robert R. Bryan, Mumia Abu-Jamal's current lead defense attorney, claimed "Arnold Beverly is not an issue in this case ... if people want to talk about it that's nice ... we don't need anything fake". Nevertheless, Arnold Beverly could be a second shooter. There are points that should be looked at.

*Veronica Jones originally testified to seeing 2 men jogging away from the scene

*Arnold Beverly claimed "I was hired, along with another guy, and paid to shoot and kill Faulkner", this most likely situates Kenneth Freeman

*Arnold Beverly talked about a police officer named Boston, whose existence was confirmed by a testimony from Pamela Jenkins.

*Arnold Beverly claimed "I saw a white shirt", William Singletary claimed to seeing two police "white shirts" at the scene.

*Arnold Beverly passed 2 lie detector tests.

*Arnold Beverly claimed "Faulkner was shot once in the back, then in the face before Jamal arrived on scene. Jamal had nothing to do with the shooting". According to the affidavit of Billy Cook, Cook claimed to hear shots while in his car looking for an ownership permit and then shortly got out after the shots. According to the affidavit of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Abu-Jamal claimed to hear gunshots, turn, and then see his brother staggering through the street disoriented.

*Arnold Beverly claimed that Faulkner "was supposed to check something at Johnny D's Bar on 13th and Locust Streets", Maureen Faulkner, in her and Smerconish's book "Murdered By Mumia" claims that police officer Ed Frederick told her that Daniel Faulkner "had to leave around 2:00 AM or 3:00 AM to do club checks when the bars let out" club checks are illegal practices explained in the affidavit of Donald Hersing.

*Arnold Beverly claimed to be wearing a green camouflage army jacket.

*Arnold Beverly claimed, "I then stood over Faulkner and shot him in the face, at close range" Robert Pigford, who never testified, told police immediately after the shooting that he saw a man in an army jacket bent over Faulkner.

*Arnold Beverly claimed "I heard Faulkner was a problem for the mob and the corrupt police in the allowance of gambling, drugs, prostitution; without prosecution", Billy Cook claimed in his affidavit that nightclubs were supposed to close at 3:00 AM but stayed open for much longer. Donald Hersing, in his affidavit, explains that this is so because of the club checks Philadelphia Police Officers would commit. Donald Hersing also talked about prostitution being allowed in Philadelphia, PA by the police. Billy Cook also claimed in his affidavit, "I knew Shoemaker [Officer James Forbes's partner], he used to sit at my stand and smoke weed". There were at least three ongoing FBI investigations of police corruption in the Center City area of Philadelphia, PA. David Lindorff also notes, that Daniel Faulkner's FBI files could be consistent with him being an FBI informant.

*Arnold Beverly claimed "Two undercover policemen were standing on the west side of 13th north of Locust. Also a uniformed police officer was sitting in a car in the corner of the parking lot. They were there while the shooting of Faulkner took place." Three years before Arnold Beverly's confession, an eyewitness named Marcus Cannon came forward with information that he saw two Caucasian men who appeared to be undercover police officers present on the scene during the shooting of Daniel Faulkner.

LINN WASHINGTON JR. AND THE POLAKOFF PHOTOS

Temple University's Associate Journalist Professor, Linn Washington Jr., made an affidavit claiming that there were improprieties at the crime scene. Pedro K. Polakoff's photos, known as the "Polakoff Photos" indeed show that this is true. The Polakoff Photos also reveal manipulation of the crime scene evidence, defrag 2 testimonies, and defrag a part of the prosecution's story.

The first testimony is from Officer James Forbes. Forbes testified that he preserved the weapons in his left hand. The Polakoff Photos show Forbes holding Abu-Jamal's gun and Daniel Faulkner's gun in his bare left hand touching the metal parts of the guns.

The second testimony was made by Robert Chobert. Chobert testified to be parked in a specific location. The Polakoff Photos reveal, however, that Chobert was not parked there.

Part of the prosecutor's story was that Mumia Abu-Jamal fired down at Faulkner several times and missed, and in turn hit the ground. However, the Polakoff Photos reveal that there are no bullet divots in the ground at all.

The Polakoff Photos were delivered to the DA in 1981, 1982, and in 1995. The photos, however, were suppressed from Mumia Abu-Jamal's trials.

The Polakoff Photos and other evidence has been delivered to Pennsylvania's District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Abraham is still, however petitioning against Mumia Abu-Jamal for his execution.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

When Robert R. Bryan, Mumia Abu-Jamal's current lead defense attorney, established to the courts that the prosecution in Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial, persuaded witnesses to lie, sourcing the affidavits of Yvette Williams and Kenneth Pate, the District Attorney successfully argued that Abu-Jamal's previous attorneys did not submit the evidence timely or properly; the open admittance of knowing about evidence establishing a murder to trial to be fraudulent

THE MUMIA EXCEPTION

When a Batson claim is made, it establishes that if prosecutorial racism is instated within a jury selection, then the defendant's constitutional rights have been violated and in turn the defendant gets a new trial. In a Batson claim, one does not need to know the racial composition of the jury pool. Mumia Abu-Jamal's Batson claim was denied by 2 of the judges in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, because his lawyers were not able to tell the 3-judge panel what the racial composition of the jury pool was. Judge Thomas Ambro of the 3-judge panel, dissented from the ruling.

LIES, MEDIA BIAS AND OTHER FACTORS

Maureen Faulkner and Michael Smerconish's book, "Murdered by Mumia" has lies that have been defragged at http://www.partisandefense.com/.

Not only has Maureen Faulkner referred to Mumia Abu-Jamal as a "cold-blooded killer", but Larry Kane has also referred to him as a "common thug."

ABC's 20/20 on Mumia Abu-Jamal was such a biased reporting that when they found out that Veronica Jones had claimed to have been coerced by the Philadelphia Police Department, they decided not to interview her in public and lied on why they refused to interview her in public.

Mumia Abu-Jamal's gun was never tested by any ballistician, neither was Daniel Faulkner's.

Part of the prosecutor's story was that Mumia Abu-Jamal shot Daniel Faulkner in the back and that Faulkner then turned around and shot Abu-Jamal while falling. This however, has been proven false by pathology claims. The pathology claims state that Mumia Abu-Jamal was shot in a downward projectile. However if Daniel Faulkner shot Abu-Jamal the way the prosecution claimed it, it would've been in an upward projectile.

A homicide cop by the name of Westerman included in a medical report, that Abu-Jamal was shot by arriving police reinforcements.

Rich Costello, of the FOP, when debating with MOVE's minister of confrontation Pam Africa, lied claiming that Mumia Abu-Jamal "never said that he was innocent of murdering Faulkner" and that Mumia Abu-Jamal only claimed "I am innocent of any wrongdoing" Mumia Abu-Jamal however, claimed in a video "I am absolutely innocent of the charge I was charged of. I am absolutely not guilty of the charges I were convicted of." Abu-Jamal also claimed in his 2001 affidavit "I did not murder Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. I had nothing to do with the killing of Officer Faulkner. I am innocent." In his first of many books "Live From Death Row" Abu-Jamal claims "I am innocent, a court cannot make an innocent man guilty, any ruling founded upon injustice is not justice. The righteous fight for life, liberty, and peace can only continue."