Free Abu-Jamal from the death penalty!

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On Tue, 10 Oct 1995, Mark W. Bassett wrote:

> There is the *impression* of a person here that has been seriously
> wronged. You comments suggest that we either believe the press or are
> negligent. 

IMHO when the press say that Abu-Jamal is innocent, believing that isn't
the cruicial matter. I think the point is that there is so much doubt
about his trial that he should get a retrial. 

Take a look at this for example:

"The police and the prosecutor's office never bothered to verify if the
weapon Abu-Jamal carried had been fired that night.

The initial autopsy report indicated that the officer's wounds had been
caused by a bullet of a larger caliber than the gun Abu-Jamal carried.

There was testimony at the trial that Abu-Jamal had bragged about shooting
the officer while in the emergency room for treatment of his own wounds. 
A police officer who had signed a report stating that Abu-Jamal did not
make any such statement went on vacation during the trial and never 
testified.

These and numerous other irregularities lead to an inescapable conclusion
that the legal process did not work correctly here and that due to police
anger and heavy politicization, Abu-Jamal did not receive a fair trial.
Originally scheduled for execution on August 17, Abu-Jamal was granted a
stay reluctantly by the trial judge, a probable sign that political
pressure is paying off." 


> Are you convinced of what you are reading? If so, why? 

I can of course not be 100% convinced that Abu-Jamal is innocent. But I am
absolutely sure that Abu Jamal didn't get a fair trial. Let the retrial
decide if he is innocent. 

One of Abu-Jamals pals BTW was in Norway not long ago and had some
speaches, much to gain publicity about Abu-Jamal's case. This man was
released from jail in 1992, after it was finally proven that he had been
framed. He then had been in jail for 19 years. I admit that this maybe has
made me biased in favour of Abu-Jamal. 


>  It
> implies that American Christians at large are ignorant or uncaring,
> but neither is true.

I am sorry if this is how you interpreted me. I know I sometimes can have
a too direct approach, but I am only trying to use every argument I have
to make people support Abu-Jamal. (I BTW know that we have a congressional
staffer on the list - maybe he could achieve something in this case?)


> Perhaps some Europeans would like to come to
> the US, and demonstrate in the streets. After all, we sent our finest
> overseas to demonstrate during the vietnam war.

I didn't understand what you ment here.. What did you demonstrate in 
Vietnam? 


> Please don't be too offended by my sarcasm. In fact, discussing
> endlessly and fruitlessly matters so serious as life and death
> troubles me. We can't settle this, and it is not a matter for
> discussion in this list, in my opinion.

Yes, instead of discussing fruitlessly one can write or fax the Governor
of Pennsylvania asking him to intercede in favor of a new trial: 

Hon. Thomas Ridge
Main Capitol Building, Room 225
Harrisburg, PA 17120
FAX: 717-783-3369
VOICE: 717-787-2500

or contact:

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal

 Mumia Abu-Jamal #AM-8335
 SCI Greene
 1040 E. Roy Furman Hwy
 WAYNESBURG PA 15370
 USA
 mumia@igc.apc.org


More information can also probably be found at:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~tank/spg-l/mumia002.htm


OEystein