ckaihatsu
17th October 2011, 04:56
[icffmaj] US SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS THAT MUMIA'S DEATH SENTENCE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The US Supreme Court has rejected the Philadelphia DA's
attempt to reinstate the death penalty on Brother Mumia!!!
In order to reinstate the death penalty at this point, the DA
would have to call for a new trial on the question of the
sentence, with a new jury having to decide on whether to
reinstate the death sentence. Otherwise, the sentence of life in
prison (without parole) remains. Now onto freeing Mumia!
Below is the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Mumia's legal
defense, press release on this decision.
Suzanne Ross, for the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Mel Gagarin
October 11, 2011
(212) 965-2783, [email protected]
United States Supreme Court Rejects Appeal from Philadelphia DA's Office
Mumia Abu-Jamal's Death Sentence is Unconstitutional
(New York, NY) -- Today the United States Supreme Court rejected a request from the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to overturn the most recent federal appeals court decision declaring Mumia Abu-Jamal's death sentence unconstitutional. The Court's decision brings to an end nearly thirty years of litigation over the fairness of the sentencing hearing that resulted in Mr. Abu-Jamal's being condemned to death. Mr. Abu-Jamal will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole unless the District Attorney elects to seek another death sentence from a new jury.
The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) and Professor Judith Ritter of Widener Law School represent Mr. Abu-Jamal in the appeal of his conviction and death sentence for the 1981 murder of a police officer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Supreme Court's decision marks the fourth time that the federal courts have found that Mr. Abu-Jamal's sentencing jury was misled about the constitutionally mandated process for considering evidence supporting a life sentence.
"At long last, the profoundly troubling prospect of Mr. Abu-Jamal facing an execution that was produced by an unfair and unreliable penalty phase has been eliminated," said John Payton, Director-Counsel of LDF. "Like all Americans, Mr. Abu-Jamal was entitled to a proper proceeding that takes into account the many substantial reasons why death was an inappropriate sentence." Professor Ritter stated, "Our system should never condone an execution that stems from a trial in which the jury was improperly instructed on the law."
Mr. Abu-Jamal's case will now return to the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas for final sentencing.
###
ABOUT LDF
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 70 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.
The US Supreme Court has rejected the Philadelphia DA's
attempt to reinstate the death penalty on Brother Mumia!!!
In order to reinstate the death penalty at this point, the DA
would have to call for a new trial on the question of the
sentence, with a new jury having to decide on whether to
reinstate the death sentence. Otherwise, the sentence of life in
prison (without parole) remains. Now onto freeing Mumia!
Below is the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Mumia's legal
defense, press release on this decision.
Suzanne Ross, for the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Mel Gagarin
October 11, 2011
(212) 965-2783, [email protected]
United States Supreme Court Rejects Appeal from Philadelphia DA's Office
Mumia Abu-Jamal's Death Sentence is Unconstitutional
(New York, NY) -- Today the United States Supreme Court rejected a request from the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to overturn the most recent federal appeals court decision declaring Mumia Abu-Jamal's death sentence unconstitutional. The Court's decision brings to an end nearly thirty years of litigation over the fairness of the sentencing hearing that resulted in Mr. Abu-Jamal's being condemned to death. Mr. Abu-Jamal will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole unless the District Attorney elects to seek another death sentence from a new jury.
The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) and Professor Judith Ritter of Widener Law School represent Mr. Abu-Jamal in the appeal of his conviction and death sentence for the 1981 murder of a police officer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Supreme Court's decision marks the fourth time that the federal courts have found that Mr. Abu-Jamal's sentencing jury was misled about the constitutionally mandated process for considering evidence supporting a life sentence.
"At long last, the profoundly troubling prospect of Mr. Abu-Jamal facing an execution that was produced by an unfair and unreliable penalty phase has been eliminated," said John Payton, Director-Counsel of LDF. "Like all Americans, Mr. Abu-Jamal was entitled to a proper proceeding that takes into account the many substantial reasons why death was an inappropriate sentence." Professor Ritter stated, "Our system should never condone an execution that stems from a trial in which the jury was improperly instructed on the law."
Mr. Abu-Jamal's case will now return to the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas for final sentencing.
###
ABOUT LDF
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 70 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.