Click here for a Word document version of this report

“This must be what it feels like to have a judge deciding my criminal case who hasn’t been paid for by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).” – Mumia Abu-Jamal, December 31, 2018

January 2, 2019— I visited Mumia Monday afternoon (December 31) to discuss this incredible legal win— new rights to appeal— which is a huge and critical step on the path to his freedom after 37 years imprisonment, almost thirty in solitary confinement on death row. I also wanted to make sure he had a copy of Judge Leon Tucker’s 37-page decision to read.

Mumia first heard news of the decision on radio, reporting his petition was “denied in part, won in part.” After speaking with Wadiya (Mumia’s wife), he called and was surprised when I read him Judge Tucker’s order that he won new appeal rights! That Judge Tucker denied the Williams argument does not impact the decision and court order granting Mumia the right to re-appeal all the prior post-conviction issues that were denied by Justice Ronald Castille and rest of the PA Supreme Court from 1998-2012.

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By Rachel Wolkenstein, December 28, 2018

Click here to read Judge Tucker’s Opinion

Click here for a PDF of Rachel Wolkenstein’s Update

On December 27, 2018, Court of Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker granted Mumia’s petition for new appeal rights, over the opposition of “progressive DA” Larry Krasner.

This is the first Pennsylvania state court decision in Mumia’s favor since he was arrested on December 9, 1981.

In his decision Judge Tucker ruled former PA Supreme Court Justice Ronald Castille, who was the District Attorney during Mumia’s first appeal of his frame-up conviction and death sentence, “created the appearance of bias and impropriety” in the appeal process when he didn’t recuse himself from participating in Mumia’s appeals. Judge Tucker relied heavily on Ronald Castille’s public statements bragging that he would be a “law and order” judge, that he was responsible for 45 men on death row, that he had the political and financial support of the Fraternal Order of Police, and new evidence of Castille’s campaign for death warrants for convicted “police killers.” The appearance of bias and lack of “judicial neutrality” exhibited by Castille warranted his recusal.

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Click here for a PDF version of this report

Rachel Wolkenstein, lawyer for Mumia, reports on the August 30th hearing, 2018

District Attorney Larry Krasner Opposes Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Petition for New Rights of Appeal – Despite Clear Evidence of Ronald Castille’s Bias and Conflict of Interest When He Participated As a PA Supreme Court Justice Denying Abu-Jamal’s Post-Conviction Appeals from 1998-2012

Next Court Date: October 29, 2018

September 1—Additional demands for discovery made by Mumia’s lawyers at the August 30 court proceeding led to Judge Tucker granting a 60-day continuance. The new date for oral argument that Mumia’s appeal denial should be vacated and new appeal rights granted is now scheduled for October 29, 2018.

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