Policeman Daniel Faulkner found dead
Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner is found dead on the street with Mumia Abu-Jamal a well-known activist and freelance journalist lying severely wounded nearby.In 1982 Abu-Jamal was tried for and convicted of Faulkners murder but because of the murky circumstances surrounding the incident and a trial that many believe was unfair activists have since protested Abu-Jamals imprisonment.Reportedly Abu-Jamal a journalist who had been fired by National Public Radio for his outspokenness was driving a cab at around 4 a.m.when he saw his brother engaged in an altercation with Faulkner on the street.
Evidence used in the trial suggested that Abu-Jamal intervened with a gun and then exchanged shots with Faulkner.From the beginning many felt Abu-Jamals trial was unfair.Despite the fact that he was critically wounded the trial began just six months after the shootingon June 17 1982.It lasted until July 3 butAbu-Jamal was so weak that he couldnt attend much of it.
The prosecution used its peremptory challenges to limit the jury to two blacks with 10 white members and someobservers felt that Judge Albert Sabo was biased against the defendant.Abu-Jamal asked to represent himself and was nominally allowed todo so though he was forced to retain a court-appointed attorney as back-up counsel and was excluded from the voir dire because the court claimedhis questions to the jurors were intimidating.When the trial ended Abu-Jamal was sentenced to death for first-degree murder.Many believed that although there was a possibility that Abu-Jamal was involved in Faulkners death the sentence was overly harsh.While in prison Abu-Jamal has written several books and made many radio appearances advocating an end to racism.
He has also lobbied for a new trial.Pressure to release Abu-Jamal from his impending execution has become stronger over time despite the fact that some people firmly maintain he is guilty.The New Jersey governor several police organizations and Faulkners widow protested a January 1999 Free Mumia benefit concert featuring Rage Against the Machine in New Jersey.
