New Death Warrant Signed for Mumia Abu-Jamal On October 13th, Governor Ridge of Pennsylvania signed a new death warrant for African-American activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal currently on death row. Supporters around the country took to the streets to protest the warrant on October 14th and 16th and demand a new trial. Mumia was sentenced to death in 1982 in association with the death of White police officer Daniel Faulkner. Abu-Jamal was driving his taxi cab in Philadelphia when he saw a man being beaten by Faulkner. Mumia stopped and realized the man being beaten was his brother. Shots were fired, Mumia was shot in the chest and Faulkner died from a bullet wound to the head. Mumia’s legal defense cites many injustices concerning his trial and the evidence. Mumia’s fingers were not tested to see if he had fired a gun. Mumia did carry a licensed .38 caliber gun after being robbed twice during his night shift driving cab. Abu-Jamal’s gun was not smelled to see if it had been fired. Also, the medical examiner’s written report stated Faulkner was shot by a .44 caliber bullet. The legal defense also points out problems with Mumia’s trial. The jury consisted of two African-Americans in a city that is 40% Black. Mumia was denied his right to self-representation and was assigned a lawyer who was later disbarred for incompetency. Albert Sabo, the judge who sentenced Mumia, was know as "the hanging judge" because Sabo had sentenced 31 people to death. All but two were people of color. These are only some of the legal defense’s allegations and reasons for appeals. Governor Ridge signed Mumia’s death warrant two days before Mumia’s well known petition would enter the courts. Abu-Jamal has filed a writ of habeas corpus which asks the federal courts to decide whether Mumia has been legally sentenced by Sabo. This is Mumia’s first and last chance to present evidence previously denied by the Pennsylvania courts. The petition is also significant because it is the first time an appeal will be heard by a judge other than Sabo. People demanding a new trial for Mumia continue to educate and actively protest Mumia’s current life-threatening situation. Tens of thousands of people around the world protested to demand a fair trial on April 24th, 1999. Abu-Jamal’s case has also gained much international and celebrity support. Some of the supporters include Ossie Davis, Susan Sarandon, Ed Asner, Rage Against the Machine, Michael Stipe of REM, the Beastie Boys, the former First Lady of France, and the National Lawyers Guild, the Japanese Diet, English Parliament, Nelson Mandela, and the Pope. The intention of Mumia’s appeal is to ask for a new trial, where jurors can hear both sides and consider all of the evidence. As Mumia’s attorney, Leonard Weinglass, states, "What we seek is Mumia's first day in court, because he has not had one yet." Written by Daughters of Nadia. For more information, contact skarndt@hotmail.com.