Journalist Abu-Jamal gets stay of execution

Mumia Abu-Jamal, a Black activist/journalist on death row in Pennsylvania, recently was given an indefinite stay of execution just 10 days before he was scheduled to be put to death for the murder of a policeman.

News of Abu-Jamal's Aug. 17 execution became the subject of international outcries by supporters. And now it appears the execution may not be scheduled for years.

Abu-Jamal, 41, a former radio reporter, says he is the victim of a racist criminal justice system. And a multitude of unresolved issues have surrounded the trial.

For instance, Abu-Jamal has never explained what he was doing during the early morning hours of Dec. 9, 1981, including how his gun was used in the shooting death of the 25-year-old Philadelphia police officer.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Albert Sabo, who presided at the Abu-Jamal murder trial, said he granted the stay because there wasn't enough time to finish hearing Abu-Jamal's request for a new trial by the Aug. 17 execution date and for Abu-Jamal to appeal if necessary.

The move surprised many present in the courtroom because Judge Sabo has been openly hostile toward the defense and Abu-Jamal since the hearing began on July 26.

"He has an absolute right to be heard by the highest court in the land--the United States Supreme Court," Sabo said.

Applause and cheers came with the decision from Abu-Jamal supporters who joined Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Jackson, who had come to Philadelphia to denounce the death penalty, said, "There's reasonable doubt so there should be a new trial."

Prosecutors contend that overwhelming ballistics evidence and eyewitness testimony prove Abu-Jamal shot officer Daniel Faulkner. The shooting occurred after Abu-Jamal found his brother, William Cook, in a struggle with the officer on a street. Faulkner also shot Abu-Jamal, who was working as a cab driver.

Defense lawyers say prosecutors and police stacked the trial against the defendant, with Sabo's approval. They say witnesses who could have helped Abu-Jamal's case were coerced to testify against him, intimidated into leaving town or simply unavailable during the trial.