Legal breakthrough in Mumia Abu-Jamal’s case

The lead attorney for Mumia Abu-Jamal, Robert R. Bryan, has sent out an e-mail concerning developments in the death row prisoner’s appeals. Excerpts are below. To read the entire court ruling, visit www.millions4mumia.org or www.iacenter.org. It is being circulated on several email lists.

Mumia Abu-Jamal

Today the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued the most important decision affecting my client, Mumia Abu-Jamal, since the lower federal court ruling in 2001. An order was issued this morning that the court will accept for review the following issues, all of which are of enormous constitutional significance and go to the very essence of Mumia’s right to a fair trial, due process of law, and equal protection of the law under the U.S. Constitution:

Claim 16 concerns the prosecutorial use of racism in jury selection. The record establishes beyond question that racism is a major thread that has run through this case since Mumia’s 1981 arrest, and continues to today.

Claim 14 includes the prosecutor’s argument that if convicted Mumia would have “appeal after appeal.” That comment effectively lessened the burden of the jurors [to find him guilty].

Claim 29 is about the bias and incredible racism of Judge Albert Sabo, the trial judge.

The opening briefs are due to be filed by Jan. 17, 2006.

Today we achieved a great victory in the campaign to win a new trial and the eventual freedom of Mumia.

Your support, and activism, is badly needed and appreciated.