In a stunning reversal, Mumia Abu-Jamal‘s death penalty case will not be pursued by the Philadelphia District Attorney. Mumia instead will serve a life sentence for killing city police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981.
It seems that the change is due, in part, to Mr. Faulkner’s widow, who requested that the appeals process comes to an end.
As Reported By The Associated Press:
The decision by District Attorney Seth Williams, made with the support of the officer’s widow and the city police commissioner, comes after nearly 30 years of legal battles over the racially charged case.
Abu-Jamal was convicted of fatally shooting Philadelphia police Officer Daniel Faulkner on Dec. 9, 1981. He was sentenced to death after his trial the following year.
Abu-Jamal, who has been incarcerated in a western Pennsylvania prison, has garnered worldwide support from those who believe he was the victim of a biased justice system.
The officer’s widow, Maureen Faulkner, has tried to remain visible over the years to ensure that her husband is not forgotten. They were newlyweds when he died.
“My family and I have endured a three-decade ordeal at the hands of Mumia Abu-Jamal, his attorneys and his supporters, who in many cases never even took the time to educate themselves about the case before lending their names, giving their support and advocating for his freedom,” Maureen Faulkner said. “All of this has taken an unimaginable physical, emotional and financial toll on each of us.”
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to weigh in on the case in October. That forced prosecutors to decide if they wanted to again pursue the death penalty through a new sentencing hearing or accept a life sentence.
SOURCE: AP
As this has been the most prominent death penalty case of our generation, we are in a state of disbelief that Mumia will not be executed.
What do you all think? Do you think they should continue to pursue his release or is life in prison the best he is going to get?
