Category Archives: Recent News

Recent News and Postings

Update: Visit with Mumia, December 31, 2018

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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Twitter Storm for Mumia: #KrasnerDoRightByMumia

Join in to pressure so-called “progressive” Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner not to appeal a judicial decision just won by Mumia Abu-Jamal, so that he can finally proceed with his appeals.

Anyone with a twitter account just has to click on these links and it will take you to your own Twitter account with the wording already there, all you have to do is click Tweet. Both of these linked Tweets have a picture linked to them as well. The first has a pic of Mumia, the 2nd has a pic of a flyer for a rally to pressure Krasner in Philly on the 5th.

Please do this on Friday, January 4th. We need the numbers all on the same day to create the Twitter storm. These links can also be posted on your Facebook pages, web sites, etc. Just headline it “Twitter Storm for Mumia on Friday, January 4 – Click To Tweet”

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Oakland Education Association: “Do the Right Thing”

The following email was sent to Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner, by OEA President Keith Brown.

You can reach Larry Krasner at [email protected].

Dear District Attorney Krasner,

Teachers and educators call on you to do the right thing. Do not stand in the way of justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal.  Do not appeal Judge Tucker’s decision. As a progressive attorney you ran for Philadelphia District Attorney on a platform that included standing for justice, not just for convictions. You promoted reviewing past convictions and freeing the wrongfully convicted. In Philadelphia, Abu-Jamal’s frame-up stands out as the city’s most notorious wrongful conviction. I urge you to allow Mumia Abu-Jamal to go forward with re-arguing his appeals, which Judge Tucker states “would best serve the appearance of justice.”
Sincerely,
Keith D. Brown

President, Oakland Education Association

Mumia Abu-Jamal Granted New Rights to Appeal!

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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International Concerned Friends and Family Letter on Judge Tucker’s Ruling

Dear Comrades and Friends Across the Globe:

On December 27, 2018, in a historic action, 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.  The new appeals ordered by Judge Tucker open the door to Mumia Abu-Jamal’s freedom. The legal claims and supporting evidence, previously denied in the PA Supreme Court with Justice Ronald Castille’s participation, warrant a dismissal of the frame-up charges that have kept Mumia imprisoned for 37 years, or, at the very least warrant a new trial.

It is critical that Mumia can go forward immediately with these appeals. However, DA Larry Krasner has the authority to appeal Judge Tucker’s decision. Krasner’s position, to the surprise of many who had described him as the “new kind” of district attorney, more bent toward justice than mere conviction, with a history of defending dissident activists, has been adamant in his opposition to Mumia’ petition.  His legal filings, court arguments, and his statements on public radio have all argued that there is no evidence of Justice Castille’s bias or the appearance of impropriety when he refused to recuse himself in Mumia’s PA Supreme Court appeals from 1998-2012 (!).

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