Cop Killer Appeals Again After 25 Years

A former Black Panther, who was sentenced to death for the 1981 shooting of a Philadelphia policeman, has appealed for a new trial based on the claim that the presiding judge once used a racial slur in referring to the defendant. Mumia Abu-Jamal has always claimed in innocence in the death of Daniel Faulkner.

Abu-Jamal's latest appeal is based in part on a statement made by now deceased Judge Albert Sabo, who was reportedly overheard saying, "Yeah, and I'm going to help 'em fry the n-----."

Long-time Philadelphia politician Peter Wirs denied Sabo's statement indicates the trial was racially biased. "He was just expressing the general sentiment of most Philadelphians. He was biased and prejudiced against criminals," he said.

Although Abu-Jamal's cause has been taken up by many anti-death penalty groups, others point to the overwhelming evidence against him.

On Dec. 9, 1981, officer Daniel Faulkner pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother, William Cook for driving the wrong way on a one-way street without headlights. The two got into an altercation when Abu-Jamal, who was driving a taxi at the time, came across the scene.

Abu-Jamal stepped in to help his brother and during the struggle both he and the policeman was shot. Faulkner died at the scene. Abu-Jamal was treated for gunshot wounds to his chest.

Several eyewitnesses identified Abu-Jamal as Faulkner's killer, the bullet that killed Faulkner was of the same type used in Abu-Jamal's gun, which was found by his side at the scene, and according to a hospital security guard, Abu-Jamal confessed to the crime.

"What more do you need?" said Wirs. "It's an open-and-shut case."

In 2001, a federal judge upheld Abu-Jamal's conviction, but overturned his death sentence. He remains on death row because that ruling is being appealed.

See Also:
Condemned Killer Claims Innocence 25 Years Later

Background:
Profile: Mumia Abu-Jamal