Global Notebook 12/98
PHILADELPHIA – On October 28, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied the appeal of Mumia Abu-Jamal, along with his motion for a new trial. Although the decision is being appealed in federal court, Gov. Tom Ridge could sign a second death warrant at any moment. After that, Abu-Jamal may have as little as 30 days to get a judge to issue a stay of execution.
A respected journalist and anti-racism activist, Abu-Jamal was accused of killing a police officer on weak, tainted evidence. During the original trial, jurors were barred on racial grounds, key evidence was suppressed, and police officers were permitted to testify that Mumia had confessed – after "forgetting" to mention it for two months.