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Post by sp on Nov 4, 2004 15:32:18 GMT -6
Mumia Abu-Jamal is a renowned journalist from Philadelphia who has been in prison since 1981 and on death row since 1983 for allegedly shooting Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. He is known as the “Voice of the Voiceless” for his award- winning reporting on police brutality and other social and racial epidemics that plague communities of color in Philadelphia and throughout the world. Mumia has received international support over the years in his efforts to overturn his unjust conviction.
Mumia Abu-Jamal was serving as the President of the Association of Black Journalists at the time of his arrest. He was a founding member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Black Panther Party as a teenager. Years later he began reporting professionally on radio stations such as NPR, and was the news director of Philadelphia station WHAT. Much of his journalism called attention to the blatant injustice and brutality he watched happen on a daily basis to MOVE, a revolutionary organization that works to protect all forms of life--human, animal, plant--and the Earth as a whole.
In 1981, Mumia worked as a cab driver at night to supplement his income. On December 9th he was driving his cab through the red light district of downtown Philadelphia at around 4 a.m. Mumia testifies that he let off a fare and parked near the corner of 13th and Locust Streets. Upon hearing gunshots, he turned and saw his brother, William Cook, staggering in the street. Mumia exited the cab and ran to the scene, where he was shot by a uniformed police officer and fell to the ground, fading in and out of consciousness. Within minutes, police arrived on the scene to find Officer Faulkner and Mumia shot; Faulkner died. Mumia was arrested, savagely beaten, thrown into a paddy wagon and driven to a hospital a few blocks away (suspiciously, it took over 30 minutes to arrive at the hospital). Mumia somehow survived.
The trial began in 1982 with Judge Sabo (who sent more people to death row than any other judge) presiding. Mumia wished to represent himself and have John Africa as his legal advisor, but before jury selection had finished, this right was revoked and an attorney was forcibly appointed for him. Throughout the trial, Mumia was accused of disrupting court proceedings and was not allowed to attend most of his own trial. Sabo lived up to his nickname of “Prosecutor in Robes.”<br> The prosecution claimed that the shot which killed Faulkner came from Mumia Abu-Jamal’s legally registered .38-caliber weapon, contradicting the medical examiner’s report that the bullet removed from Faulkner’s brain was a .44-caliber. This fact was kept from the jury. Moreover, a ballistics expert found it incredible that police at the scene failed to test Mumia’s gun to see if has been recently fired, or to test his hands for powder residue. One of the most damning prosecution claims was that Mumia confessed at the hospital. However, this confession was not reported until nearly two months after December 9th, immediately after Mumia had filed a brutality suit against the police. One of the officers who claims to have heard the confession is Gary Wakshul. However, in his police report on that day he stated, “the Negro male made no comments.” Dr. Coletta, the attending physician who was with Mumia the entire time, says that he never heard Mumia speak.
The star prosecution witness, a prostitute named Cynthia White, was someone no other witness reported seeing at the scene. During the trial of Billy Cook (Mumia’s brother) just weeks before Mumia’s trial, White gave testimony completely contradictory to what she stated at Mumia’s trial. Her testimony at Billy Cook’s trial placed someone at the scene who was not there when police arrived. This corroborates the other five witness accounts that someone fled the scene. In a 1997 hearing, another former prostitute, Pamela Jenkins, testified that White was acting as a police informant. Other sworn testimony revealed that witness coercion was routinely practiced by the police. In 1995, eyewitness William Singletary testified that police repeatedly tore up his initial statement--that the shooter fled the scene--until he finally signed something acceptable to them. The following year, witness Veronica Jones came forward to testify that she had been coerced into changing her initial statement that two men fled the scene. Witness Billy Cook, who was present the whole time, has stated very clearly that Mumia is absolutely innocent.
Due to police manipulation of witnesses, fabrication of evidence, and the rights of the defense severely denied, Mumia was found guilty. He was sentenced to death during the penalty phase based solely on his political beliefs. Mumia has been unjustly separated from his family for twenty-two years, with the threat of death looming over his head.
This case is one of the many reasons why I'm 100% Anti DP
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Post by Tozzie on Nov 4, 2004 21:47:14 GMT -6
Mumia Abu-Jamal is a renowned journalist from Philadelphia who has been in prison since 1981 and on death row since 1983 for allegedly shooting Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. He is known as the “Voice of the Voiceless” for his award- winning reporting on police brutality and other social and racial epidemics that plague communities of color in Philadelphia and throughout the world. Mumia has received international support over the years in his efforts to overturn his unjust conviction. Mumia Abu-Jamal was serving as the President of the Association of Black Journalists at the time of his arrest. He was a founding member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Black Panther Party as a teenager. Years later he began reporting professionally on radio stations such as NPR, and was the news director of Philadelphia station WHAT. Much of his journalism called attention to the blatant injustice and brutality he watched happen on a daily basis to MOVE, a revolutionary organization that works to protect all forms of life--human, animal, plant--and the Earth as a whole. In 1981, Mumia worked as a cab driver at night to supplement his income. On December 9th he was driving his cab through the red light district of downtown Philadelphia at around 4 a.m. Mumia testifies that he let off a fare and parked near the corner of 13th and Locust Streets. Upon hearing gunshots, he turned and saw his brother, William Cook, staggering in the street. Mumia exited the cab and ran to the scene, where he was shot by a uniformed police officer and fell to the ground, fading in and out of consciousness. Within minutes, police arrived on the scene to find Officer Faulkner and Mumia shot; Faulkner died. Mumia was arrested, savagely beaten, thrown into a paddy wagon and driven to a hospital a few blocks away (suspiciously, it took over 30 minutes to arrive at the hospital). Mumia somehow survived. The trial began in 1982 with Judge Sabo (who sent more people to death row than any other judge) presiding. Mumia wished to represent himself and have John Africa as his legal advisor, but before jury selection had finished, this right was revoked and an attorney was forcibly appointed for him. Throughout the trial, Mumia was accused of disrupting court proceedings and was not allowed to attend most of his own trial. Sabo lived up to his nickname of “Prosecutor in Robes.”<br> The prosecution claimed that the shot which killed Faulkner came from Mumia Abu-Jamal’s legally registered .38-caliber weapon, contradicting the medical examiner’s report that the bullet removed from Faulkner’s brain was a .44-caliber. This fact was kept from the jury. Moreover, a ballistics expert found it incredible that police at the scene failed to test Mumia’s gun to see if has been recently fired, or to test his hands for powder residue. One of the most *darn*ing prosecution claims was that Mumia confessed at the hospital. However, this confession was not reported until nearly two months after December 9th, immediately after Mumia had filed a brutality suit against the police. One of the officers who claims to have heard the confession is Gary Wakshul. However, in his police report on that day he stated, “the Negro male made no comments.” Dr. Coletta, the attending physician who was with Mumia the entire time, says that he never heard Mumia speak. The star prosecution witness, a prostitute named Cynthia White, was someone no other witness reported seeing at the scene. During the trial of Billy Cook (Mumia’s brother) just weeks before Mumia’s trial, White gave testimony completely contradictory to what she stated at Mumia’s trial. Her testimony at Billy Cook’s trial placed someone at the scene who was not there when police arrived. This corroborates the other five witness accounts that someone fled the scene. In a 1997 hearing, another former prostitute, Pamela Jenkins, testified that White was acting as a police informant. Other sworn testimony revealed that witness coercion was routinely practiced by the police. In 1995, eyewitness William Singletary testified that police repeatedly tore up his initial statement--that the shooter fled the scene--until he finally signed something acceptable to them. The following year, witness Veronica Jones came forward to testify that she had been coerced into changing her initial statement that two men fled the scene. Witness Billy Cook, who was present the whole time, has stated very clearly that Mumia is absolutely innocent. Due to police manipulation of witnesses, fabrication of evidence, and the rights of the defense severely denied, Mumia was found guilty. He was sentenced to death during the penalty phase based solely on his political beliefs. Mumia has been unjustly separated from his family for twenty-two years, with the threat of death looming over his head. This animal is a poster child for the death penalty, first your "facts" as stated in the above post are a little twisted, second he didn't Allegedly kill Police Officer Daniel Faulkner, he has been tried and convicted, lastly in all the years since his conviction and numerous appeals he has only managed to avoid the death chamber, no court has ever overturned the conviction.
There is a website, while not impartial to the slain officer has all the official court transcripts not an opinion of them, IMO once people read the trial transcripts they will realize that this animal is guilty as sin and should have been executed a long time ago. www.danielfaulkner.com/
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2004 0:31:25 GMT -6
[quote author=tozzie link=board=cases&thread=1099603938&start=1#0 date=1099626434 This animal is a poster child for the death penalty, first your "facts" as stated in the above post are a little twisted, second he didn't Allegedly kill Police Officer Daniel Faulkner, he has been tried and convicted, lastly in all the years since his conviction and numerous appeals he has only managed to avoid the death chamber, no court has ever overturned the conviction.
There is a website, while not impartial to the slain officer has all the official court transcripts not an opinion of them, IMO once people read the trial transcripts they will realize that this animal is guilty as sin and should have been executed a long time ago. www.danielfaulkner.com/ [/quote] Tozzie, I think his sentence was commuted to LWOP in 2001. Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember there was an article in my local paper. Maureen Faulkner was denied justice! This guy was "guilty". A fellow cab driver even saw him killing Daniel! This killer, after getting wounded, also stated in a hospital " I killed that muther f--- and will do so again." What a pschyco!!! Leah
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Post by RickZ on Nov 5, 2004 6:47:54 GMT -6
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Post by sp on Nov 5, 2004 9:07:47 GMT -6
In 1999, Arnold Beverly confessed to killing Officer Faulkner. This confession is validated by a lie detector test administered by eminent polygraph expert Charles Honts. Despite concrete evidence supporting this confession, the Philadelphia District Attorney has refused to investigate, and the courts have not even allowed it to be heard.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2004 9:49:12 GMT -6
From a UW student newspaper. Guess I can't rely on them for accuracy.
Regardless, that thug should have been executed a long time ago. Being on death row for over 20 years is rediculous!
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Post by Tozzie on Nov 5, 2004 16:36:46 GMT -6
From a UW student newspaper. Guess I can't rely on them for accuracy.
Regardless, that thug should have been executed a long time ago. Being on death row for over 20 years is rediculous!
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Post by sp on Nov 6, 2004 12:58:38 GMT -6
After many years of monitoring Mumia Abu-Jamal's case and a thorough study of original documents, including the entire trial transcript, the organization has concluded that the proceedings used to convict and sentence Mumia Abu-Jamal to death were in violation of minimum international standards that govern fair trial procedures and the use of the death penalty. source: www.amnesty.org
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Post by Tozzie on Nov 6, 2004 14:47:19 GMT -6
After many years of monitoring Mumia Abu-Jamal's case and a thorough study of original documents, including the entire trial transcript, the organization has concluded that the proceedings used to convict and sentence Mumia Abu-Jamal to death were in violation of minimum international standards that govern fair trial procedures and the use of the death penalty. Amnesty Intenation is hardly an unbiased organization, they don't support the death penalty for anyone. I am an adult who can make up my own mind based on the facts of the case, I too have read the court transcripts and I have come to the conclusion this animal is guilty and should have been executed a long time ago.
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Post by sp on Nov 6, 2004 15:28:50 GMT -6
One of the reasons that I don't really trust the case and the facts as presented in the official court transcriptions is because of the police brutality in Philadelhia at the time:
The shooting of Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981 and Mumia Abu-Jamal's trial the following year took place in Philadelphia, a city fraught with tension between the predominately white authorities and the African American and other minority communities. Both before and since that time, numerous instances have come to light of police brutality and the use of disproportionate force with lethal consequences; of the corruption of police officers and the fabrication of evidence against those suspected of criminal acts.(2)
In 1973, a federal judge for the US District Court stated that police abuse occurred with such frequency in Philadelphia that it could not be ''dismissed as rare, isolated instances'' and that city officials did ''little or nothing'' to punish or prevent police abuse.
In 1979, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the then-mayor of Philadelphia, Frank Rizzo, and other city officials for condoning police brutality. The lawsuit listed 290 persons shot by the city's police officers between 1975 and 1979, the majority of whom were from ethnic minorities. During Frank Rizzo's eight years as mayor, fatal shootings by Philadelphia police officers increased by 20 per cent annually. In the year after he left office, 1980, fatal shootings declined 67 per cent.(3) Mayor Rizzo appeared to tolerate police misconduct. In 1978, he told an audience of 700 police officers ''Even when you're wrong, I'm going to back you''.(4)
An investigation in 1978 by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Crime and Corrections found that a small but significant number of Philadelphia police routinely engaged in verbal and physical abuse of citizens to a degree the subcommittee considered ''lawless''. The investigation concluded that the level of police abuse had reached that of homicidal violence and that Philadelphia lacked the necessary police leadership to control the lawlessness.
Also in 1978, the police became involved in a siege of a house occupied by members of MOVE.(5) During an attempt to force the occupants to leave the building a shot was fired, causing the police to open fire at the house (it is disputed whether the police or those in the house fired the initial shot). At this time, one police officer was fatally wounded; MOVE members later maintained that the police officer was killed by gun fire from other officers. As the occupants surrendered to the police, television cameras filmed a police officer striking Delbert Africa (all members of MOVE adopt the second name of Africa) with the butt of a shotgun and then dragging him along the ground as other police officers kicked him. Police bulldozed the house to the ground the following day, destroying the crime scene and making analysis of many of the day's events impossible.(6) Nine members of MOVE were tried on charges of third degree murder, conspiracy, and multiple counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault; all were found guilty and sentenced to 30 to 100 years in prison.
Mumia Abu-Jamal was closely involved with MOVE. It is highly likely that the officers who arrested him, although perhaps unaware of his identity, would have immediately associated him with the organization because of his dreadlocks, a hairstyle adopted by all members of MOVE as part of their beliefs. Abu-Jamal was also a former member of the Black Panther Party (BPP) and was under surveillance by the FBI's Counterintelligence Program, COINTELPRO (see box).(7) Prior to his arrest, Abu-Jamal worked as a journalist and had written articles critical of the authorities in Philadelphia. To supplement his income, he was working as a taxi cab driver at the time of the crime.
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Post by sp on Nov 6, 2004 15:37:21 GMT -6
This killer, after getting wounded, also stated in a hospital " I killed that muther f--- and will do so again." What a pschyco!!! Leah Several people (including the police officer who had to guard him, and doctors who worked at the hospital) said he was unable to even whisper, because of his injuries. And no police officer rapported this ''statement'' till 2 months after the shooting.
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Post by Shaka on Nov 6, 2004 20:02:30 GMT -6
I can only hope this black panther *deleted* will burn in hell for a day and an age. I'm sad they didn't give him DP for for his crimes.
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Senor Boogie Woogie
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Post by Senor Boogie Woogie on Nov 18, 2004 10:58:28 GMT -6
Hola!
What I have read in the Mumia case is that Mumia dropped off a fare late at night /early in the morning, took a rest at the corner, and then heard gunshots. He looked and saw his brother staggering in the street.
Mumia took out a gun and came to the aid of his brother. (Note, I have never been to Philly, but if I was a cabbie there, in any urban city in America, I would have a weapon for protection) Someone in the dark was coming towards his brother and Mumia stopped the agressor.
Maybe Mumia thought it was a mugger, or an angry person, who knows? If this story is plausible, the senteence should be involuntary manslaughter with a sentence of 5-10 yrs.
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Senor Boogie Woogie
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Post by Senor Boogie Woogie on Nov 18, 2004 11:04:14 GMT -6
CONTINUED............................................................
If Mumia KNEW that the attacker of his brother was a law enforcement official, maybe this person identified themselves as such, and Mumia KNEW that he was a policeman and that could be verified, through an impartial witness on the scene, or by witnesses stating that there has been contact between the cop and Mumia, then possibly a capital case could go forward.
1.) Were there witnesses?
2.) Did the brother die of his injuries?
3.) How did this crime turn into Murder 1 and the death penalty, what am I missing from the story?
A man should never die for circumstantial evidence. I would never convict on that, no matter what my person feelings may be.
Enlighten me.
Senor
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Post by Tozzie on Nov 18, 2004 18:11:39 GMT -6
. Maybe Mumia thought it was a mugger, or an angry person, who knows? If this story is plausible, the senteence should be involuntary manslaughter with a sentence of 5-10 yrs. It is kind of hard if not damned impossible to mistake a Police officer in full uniform for a Mugger, please, your post is extremely insulting regardless if you have been to Philly or not. TEXT
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Post by keithmic on Nov 24, 2004 13:25:35 GMT -6
I am from Philadelphia and know of this case.
I am anti-DP due in large part to issues exactly as this - where there are many questions and a polarized community where 1/2 thinks he's "guilty as sin" and the other 1/2 is convinced of a legal system failure. This is at the very core of the whole DP argument and a true litmus test for the fairness and competancy of our legal system.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2004 18:04:40 GMT -6
I am from Philadelphia and know of this case. I am anti-DP due in large part to issues exactly as this - where there are many questions and a polarized community where 1/2 thinks he's "guilty as sin" and the other 1/2 is convinced of a legal system failure. This is at the very core of the whole DP argument and a true litmus test for the fairness and competancy of our legal system. Wake up!!
That thug is guilty as sin: A fellow cab driver even saw him kill Daniel Faulkner. He even bragged about it later and said would do it again.
Innocent? Puleeeaase!?
Leah
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Post by faithful on Nov 24, 2004 20:18:09 GMT -6
The prosecution claimed that the shot which killed Faulkner came from Mumia Abu-Jamal’s legally registered .38-caliber weapon, contradicting the medical examiner’s report that the bullet removed from Faulkner’s brain was a .44-caliber. This fact was kept from the jury. Moreover, a ballistics expert found it incredible that police at the scene failed to test Mumia’s gun to see if has been recently fired, or to test his hands for powder residue. One of the most *darn*ing prosecution claims was that Mumia confessed at the hospital. However, this confession was not reported until nearly two months after December 9th, immediately after Mumia had filed a brutality suit against the police. One of the officers who claims to have heard the confession is Gary Wakshul. However, in his police report on that day he stated, “the Negro male made no comments.” Dr. Coletta, the attending physician who was with Mumia the entire time, says that he never heard Mumia speak.
It just amazes me that you all ignore facts. READ.... His gun is a 38, the bullet take out of the officers head was a .44. Mumia was shot, beated and at the hospital did not say anything, yet 2 months later the police say he confessed? Yet the report of that night says he "made no comments", the Dr who was with him the entire time says he never heard Mumia speak. So what if a cab driver saw him. Look at the other hard facts. If there is any doubt, then his sentence needs to be overturned, or a new trial.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2004 21:03:48 GMT -6
Part I
MYTH #1
Those who support Mumia Abu-Jamal often allege that the bullet removed from Officer Faulkner's brain was .44 caliber. Jamal's gun -- found on the ground next to him at the crime scene -- was a .38 caliber revolver. Therefore, his supporters argue, Jamal couldn't have fired the shot that killed Officer Faulkner.
When asked to provide proof to support this allegation, Jamal's supporters point to a handwritten note made by Assistant Medical Examiner, Dr. Paul Hoyer. Dr. Hoyer's note said, "shot 44 Cal".
Dr. Hoyer testified at the 1995 PCRA Hearing and explained that his 1981 note merely reflected his speculation at what caliber the bullet might be, made when he first saw the wound and before he started the autopsy. The note was written on a piece of scrap paper, and was not a part of (and was never intended to be a part of) his professional findings.
Some of Jamal's supporters, including his attorneys, have now altered this ".44 caliber" myth, and now argue that that there may be several fragments of the bullet "missing," and that if these fragments were the correct size and weight, they would prove that the bullet was .44 caliber. They have never offered any evidence, of any kind, to support this theory.
BRIEF REBUTTAL
Official ballistics tests done on the fatal bullet verify that Officer Faulkner was killed by a .38 caliber bullet, not a .44 caliber bullet. The fatal .38 slug was a Federal brand Special +P bullet with a hollow base (the hollow base in a +P bullet was distinctive to Federal ammunition at that time). It is the exact type (+P with a hollow base), brand (Federal), and caliber (.38) of bullet found in Jamal's gun. Additionally, tests have proven that the bullet that killed Officer Faulkner was fired from a weapon with the same rifling characteristics as Jamal's .38 Caliber revolver. Further, Jamal's own ballistics expert, George Fassnacht, conceded in his 1995 PCRA testimony that the fatal bullet was not .44 caliber, and that it was most "likely" a .38. Although the D.A.'s officer offered in open court to let Jamal's attorneys test the fatal bullet, they refused this offer, and have never offered any alternative test results to counter the above evidence. Dr. James Hoyer's handwritten notation on a piece of scrap paper certainly does not constitute such evidence. Dr. Hoyer, a medical doctor who has had no formal ballistics training, has never claimed that he was able to determine the caliber of the bullet. He plainly testified in 1995 that what he wrote was a "guess." Furthermore, Dr. Hoyer testified that, after writing this guess, he had measured the bullet with a standard ruler. Although he acknowledged that this was not the accepted scientific method by which to gage the caliber of a bullet, his rough measurement was consistent with the slug being .38 caliber, and not a .44. Finally, Dr. Hoyer testified that, at the time he made his .44 caliber guess -- while looking at the horrendous wound to Officer Faulkner's head -- he was unaware that the killer had been using high-velocity +P ammunition. Had he known this, he would not have assumed that the slug was of an unusually large caliber.
So maybe the gun the police produced as evidence against Jamal was thrown there in order to frame him? No. The gun had been legally purchased by Jamal years prior to the shooting, and was registered in his name.
FACTS SUPPORTING OUR REBUTTAL
Despite the meaningless nature of Dr. Hoyer's notation, those who support Jamal often argue that the jury should have heard about it at the 1982 trial anyway. But had the defense introduced Hoyer's notation, there is no doubt that Hoyer would have been called to testify about it. What Jamal's supporters hide is the fact that this is exactly what happened in 1995.
At the 1995 PCRA hearing, Dr. Hoyer appeared as a defense witness. Leonard Weinglass asked Doctor Hoyer about his "44 cal" notation:
Weinglass, "What is it doctor?"
Dr. Hoyer: "It's a notation I made on a piece of paper that was normally, normally discarded."
N. T. 8/9/95, 186
Dr. Hoyer readily admitted that he had no formal ballistics training.
Fisk: "Am I correct sir, that you've never had training in the field of ballistics and firearms identification?"
Hoyer: "I've never had formal training in that, that is correct."
Fisk: "And am I correct that in 1981 you were by no means an expert in that field?"
Hoyer: "That is correct."
Fisk: "Would I be correct that any statement by you as to the caliber of any projectile would merely be a lay guess and not that, not the valuation of an expert in the field of ballistics?"
Hoyer: "Correct."
N.T. 8/9/95,191-192
WHAT DID THE BALLISTICS REPORTS REVEAL ABOUT THE GUN AND BULLET?
In the 1982 trial, the prosecution Firearms Examiner, Anthony Paul, was asked if the bullet removed from Officer Faulkner's brain was consistent with having been fired from a Charter Arms .38 caliber revolver (the type of gun owned by Jamal and found next to him at the scene). Paul states that it is.
Paul: "It's possible to say that it [the bullet which killed Officer Faulkner] was fired from a revolver with that type of rifling, with the Charter Arms type of rifling."
N.T. 6/23/82, 6.110
Later at trial, defense attorney Anthony Jackson asks Anthony Paul if the general rifling characteristics etched of the bullet removed from Officer Faulkner's brain matched the pattern found in the barrel of Jamal's gun. Mr. Paul states that they clearly do match Jamal's gun.
"The general characteristics being part of the eight lands and grooves and a right hand direction of twist, you have a part of that [bullet] still exposed with sufficient quantity to be able to say that a firearm rifled with eight lands and grooves with a right hand direction of twist discharged that projectile."
N.T. 6/23/82, 6.168
Anthony Paul goes on to state that there are many .38 caliber handguns with eight lands and grooves and a right hand twist, and that the fatal bullet was so deformed that it could not be scientifically matched to Jamal's gun to the exclusion of all other firearms. However, he stresses the fact that there was one, and only one, gun with all of these characteristics at the crime scene -- the gun owned by Mumia Abu-Jamal. This is the same gun that was registered in Jamal's name and that was found next to him at the crime scene less than a minute after the shooting. By any rational standard, these facts show that the fatal bullet was fired from Jamal's gun.
In addition to matching the general rifling characteristics of the gun used to kill Officer Faulkner, Jamal's five-shot Charter Arms handgun contained five spent casings from hollow-base .38 caliber high velocity Special +P ammunition. Of the shells found in Jamal's gun, all were +P ammunition, (4 were Federal brand and 1 Remington). In 1981, Federal was the only brand of +P ammunition that had a hollow base. Additionally, Anthony Paul acknowledged that the +P bullet was a type of ammunition that was rarely seen in 1981. Anthony Paul commented that the +P is a unique bullet, with an extra heavy load of gunpowder. It so devastates its target that police departments are restricted from using it.
This extensive ballistics evidence clearly ties Jamal's gun to the murder. But his attorneys and supporters simply ignore this evidence, hide it, or act as if it doesn't exist.
MAYBE THE GUN ON THE GROUND NEXT TO JAMAL WASN'T HIS?
Anyone who doubts that the gun found next to Jamal was actually his gun should have a look at the trial evidence. The gun was purchased by Mumia Abu-Jamal and registered in his name. A storeowner, Joseph Kohn, testified in 1982 and stated that he sold Jamal this exact gun on July 17, 1979. (Two years before Jamal became a cab driver.) He produced a purchase receipt with Jamal's signature on it and a serial number that matched Jamal's gun. Additionally, Jamal was wearing an empty shoulder holster when he was apprehended. Even Jamal's own lawyers admit that he was carrying a gun that morning -- though they have never explained what he intended to do with it, other than murder Officer Faulkner.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2004 21:04:18 GMT -6
Part II SURELY THE DEFENSE HAS PRODUCED ALTERNATIVE BALLISTICS INFORMATION?
It sounds absurd. But to date, Jamal's ballistics expert George Fassnacht -- the same ballistics expert Jamal had at the 1982 trial -- has refused to even look at the bullet that killed Officer Faulkner, much less run tests on it himself. There is no doubt that if the bullet was not .38 caliber, as Jamal's supporters so vigorously proclaim, it would have been a simple matter for Jamal's ballistics expert to verify this. But that, of course, would require Jamal's expert to at least look at the physical evidence. Yet when offered the opportunity to do exactly that at the 1995 PCRA hearing, Jamal's expert flatly refused to look at the bullet, and Jamal's lawyers stood by and said nothing. Jamal's refusal to test the bullet gives us all the insight we could ever need into the validity of his ballistics claims.
In July 1995, Assistant District Attorney Joey Grant asked Fassnacht:
Grant: "Well, you have opined that since you didn't have a chance to look at the evidence, test the evidence [in 1981], all you did was read a report. Well, we [now] have what you didn't have in 1981. Would you be willing to try a hand at it now?"
Fassnacht: "Would I be willing to reexamine this evidence? No, I wouldn't"
N.T. 8/2/95, 150
Further exposing the myth that the fatal bullet was .44 caliber is the fact that George Fassnacht has never stated that he believes the bullet is .44 caliber. Instead, while testifying in 1995, Fassnacht actually agreed with the prosecutions findings.
ADA Grant: "In any event, no matter whether that explains it or not, you know from your own expertise that this is in no way close to being a .44 caliber bullet, don't you?"
Mr. Fassnacht replies, "Yes."
N.T. 8/2/95, 158
Fassnacht again repeated his belief that the bullet was not .44 caliber when he was cross examined by the Assistant DA Grant and asked the following:
ADA Grant: "Considering what you read, [the ballistics reports], you must admit to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that a .44 caliber that [bullet] was not?"
Fassnacht: "Yes."
N.T. 8/2/95, 160
THE MYTH, EXPOSED, LIVES ON
The 1995 hearing completely refuted the .44 caliber myth. Yet outside the courtroom, lawyer Leonard Weinglass continued to use this .44 caliber Myth to drum up public support for a convicted killer. Despite the fact that his allegation that the bullet was .44 caliber was contradicted by his own ballistics expert, Weinglass still shamelessly repeats this myth at his public presentations on the alleged "facts of the case."
JAMAL'S LAWYER GETS CAUGHT
After a four month investigation of the facts of this case, the ABC News program 20/20 aired a broadcast that looked into this and other myths offered up by Jamal's lawyers as evidence of his alleged innocence. While being interviewed by Sam Donaldson, Leonard Weinglass's sham regarding the caliber of the fatal bullet was captured on film for all to see. Cornered by Donaldson, Weinglass was forced on nationwide television to publicly back away from his .44 caliber claim -- though he continues to say the opposite, to this day, in his off-camera lectures.
SAM DONALDSON: The police say that that slug has the lands and grooves consistent with being a .38 slug.
LEONARD WEINGLASS: It does.
SAM DONALDSON: But if it's a .38, then your contention that it was a .44 is wrong.
LEONARD WEINGLASS: Well, I think that issue is very much something that should be played out in front of a jury.
THE NEW DEFENSE BULLET THEORY
Because the testimony of their own ballistics expert publicly refuted the idea that the fatal bullet was .44 caliber, the defense has now added a new spin on the .44 caliber theory. They now claim that there may be a "fragment" or even multiple fragments of the fatal bullet that are supposedly "missing." Though they have never offered any evidence to prove this in court, they claim that if this supposedly missing fragment just happened to be the right size, it would verify that the bullet was .44 caliber.
But the new myth continues to be plagued by the problems of the old one -- as so often happens when the truth intrudes on fantasy. Like the old myth, the new one directly conflicts with all of the ballistics tests, as well as the expert testimony from both the defense and the prosecution.
Further, it is plainly dishonest for Jamal to claim that something is "missing" when he never looked for it. Since Jamal's expert refused to examine the physical evidence, his lawyers are simply lying when they pretend to know that part of it is "missing."
CONCLUSION REGARDING THE CALIBER OF THE BULLET
Officer Faulkner was killed by a .38 caliber bullet from Jamal's .38 caliber gun.
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Post by Tozzie on Nov 24, 2004 21:35:52 GMT -6
The prosecution claimed that the shot which killed Faulkner came from Mumia Abu-Jamal’s legally registered .38-caliber weapon, contradicting the medical examiner’s report that the bullet removed from Faulkner’s brain was a .44-caliber. This fact was kept from the jury. Moreover, a ballistics expert found it incredible that police at the scene failed to test Mumia’s gun to see if has been recently fired, or to test his hands for powder residue. One of the most *darn*ing prosecution claims was that Mumia confessed at the hospital. However, this confession was not reported until nearly two months after December 9th, immediately after Mumia had filed a brutality suit against the police. One of the officers who claims to have heard the confession is Gary Wakshul. However, in his police report on that day he stated, “the Negro male made no comments.” Dr. Coletta, the attending physician who was with Mumia the entire time, says that he never heard Mumia speak.
It just amazes me that you all ignore facts. READ.... His gun is a 38, the bullet take out of the officers head was a .44. Mumia was shot, beated and at the hospital did not say anything, yet 2 months later the police say he confessed? Yet the report of that night says he "made no comments", the Dr who was with him the entire time says he never heard Mumia speak. So what if a cab driver saw him. Look at the other hard facts. If there is any doubt, then his sentence needs to be overturned, or a new trial. We are not the one's ignoring facts you ignoring the facts. This animal killed Officer Faulkner and he should have been executed a long time ago. I don't get facts from anti websites sorry too biased.
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Post by faithful on Nov 25, 2004 18:31:43 GMT -6
Part II SURELY THE DEFENSE HAS PRODUCED ALTERNATIVE BALLISTICS INFORMATION?
CONCLUSION REGARDING THE CALIBER OF THE BULLET
Officer Faulkner was killed by a .38 caliber bullet from Jamal's .38 caliber gun.
Ok, you brought up things I had not heard yet. The fact that the defense refuses to test the bullet themselves is something that puts doubt in my mind. However..... I still have some questions. It was said that Mumia was shot and beaten up. Was it ever determined who shot him? Who beat him up? and what about the "confession" at the hospital?
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Post by BossKean on Nov 27, 2004 18:08:36 GMT -6
SP...let me guess, you're a black person? I read the published trial transcripts and I have a very disturbing finding. 2 of the jurors that sent this dog to prison to be executed were black as well...Remember, it only takes one (1) person to keep him off the death penalty. What lame excuse do you have now? When they fry his lying bigoted ass, they should let one of Officer Faulkner's family members push the juice button that eradicates this murdering bastard. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2004 0:52:44 GMT -6
I am from Philadelphia and know of this case. I am anti-DP due in large part to issues exactly as this - where there are many questions and a polarized community where 1/2 thinks he's "guilty as sin" and the other 1/2 is convinced of a legal system failure. This is at the very core of the whole DP argument and a true litmus test for the fairness and competancy of our legal system. From Philadelphia?!
So you support this thug, eh?
You also probably don't give a darn about Maureen Faulkner, and the endless suffering she is going through due to not only the loss of her husband, but also the thugs who support this scum!
Leah
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Post by keithmic on Nov 29, 2004 13:49:19 GMT -6
Leah assumed: "So you support this thug, eh?" Never said that. Read my post again - its directed at the criminal justice system in general, not Mumia's innocence or guilt. If there is this much outspoken division among the public the legal system has failed at proving this man's guilt "beyond a resonable doubt." My opposition to the DP is driven by this very isue - I invite you to find and read my very first post to this website for more details. Leah assumed once again: "You also probably don't give a darn about Maureen Faulkner, and the endless suffering she is going through due to not only the loss of her husband, but also the thugs who support this scum!" I can burst with happiness to inform you that YOU ARE DEAD WRONG. In fact, I have taken part in two benefit runs for the Faulkner family and raised a little bit of cheddar for their fund in doing so. I support her as the lost victim in this morass and feel for her family and her husband's lost legacy. Apology required from you for over-stepping your bounds and making an assumption that was clearly unfounded and false. Attempt thwarted, egg on your face, apology demanded. Sometimes arguing for the sake of arguing can catch up with you, eh?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2004 18:25:46 GMT -6
Leah assumed: "So you support this thug, eh?" Never said that. Read my post again - its directed at the criminal justice system in general, not Mumia's innocence or guilt. If there is this much outspoken division among the public the legal system has failed at proving this man's guilt "beyond a resonable doubt." My opposition to the DP is driven by this very isue - I invite you to find and read my very first post to this website for more details. Leah assumed once again: "You also probably don't give a darn about Maureen Faulkner, and the endless suffering she is going through due to not only the loss of her husband, but also the thugs who support this scum!" I can burst with happiness to inform you that YOU ARE DEAD WRONG. In fact, I have taken part in two benefit runs for the Faulkner family and raised a little bit of cheddar for their fund in doing so. I support her as the lost victim in this morass and feel for her family and her husband's lost legacy. That is a good start, but Maureen would like to see justice served to the fullest extent as well as the majority of America.
Leah
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Post by keithmic on Nov 29, 2004 18:57:00 GMT -6
Leah conceded: "That is a good start, but Maureen would like to see justice served to the fullest extent as well as the majority of America."
So glad you think its a good start. Doesn't sound like a polite apology to me, Leah. Your integrity is slipping.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2004 20:19:20 GMT -6
Leah conceded: "That is a good start, but Maureen would like to see justice served to the fullest extent as well as the majority of America." So glad you think its a good start. Doesn't sound like a polite apology to me, Leah. Your integrity is slipping. If you say you support the Faulkner family which I think you do to a certain extent, would you support them all the way and support Mumia's execution?
Picture this: It is not just Faulkner's family that miss Daniel, but also his fellow peace officers as well who serve and protect as well as citizens who knew him.
Leah
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2004 20:22:01 GMT -6
So glad you think its a good start. Doesn't sound like a polite apology to me, Leah. Your integrity is slipping. And when will you apologize to Snowy for calling her a country bumpkin?
Leah
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Post by keithmic on Nov 30, 2004 5:47:56 GMT -6
Check and mate, Leah.
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