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Betreff: Mumia Abu-Jamal –
Legal Update on
Legal Update Date: December 15, 2008
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From: Robert R. Bryan, lead counsel
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Subject: U.S. Supreme Court developments regarding Mumia Abu-Jamal, deathrow Introduction Mumia Abu-Jamal remains on Pennsylvania’s death row.
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Lastweek marked the 27th anniversary of his unjust imprisonment. Racism, fraud andpolitics have been threads that have run through the case since itsinception, and continue today. We are in extensive litigation on two fronts before the United StatesSupreme Court. The prosecution is continuing it quest for the execution of myclient. In a separate case before the court, I am seeking an entirely new trialand Mumia’s freedom. Based upon my experience in having successfullyrepresented numerous people in murder cases involving the death penalty, I amconvinced that we can win if I can just get it back before a jury.U.S. Supreme Court
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The following is a brief overview of recent developmentsand filing deadlines:
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Beard v. Abu-Jamal, U.S. Sup. Ct. No. 08-652
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On November 14, 2008, thePhiladelphia District Attorney filed in the U.S. Supreme Court a petitionseeking to overturn the victory we achieved earlier this year in the U.S. Courtof Appeals for the Third Circuit. Abu-Jamal v. Horn, 520 F.3d 272 (3rd Cir.2008). In that ruling court ordered a new jury trial on the question of thedeath penalty. Our Brief In Opposition is scheduled to be filed on January21, 2009. Abu-Jamal v. Beard, U.S. Sup. Ct. No. 08A299 The Petition for Writ ofCertiorari will be filed on December 19, 2008. The issues concern theprosecution’s use of racism in jury selection. Relief was denied last spring by asharply divided federal court. This is of great constitutional significance asreflected by the extraordinary dissenting opinion of Justice Thomas L.Ambro.
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Abu-Jamal v. Horn, 520 F.3d at 304-320. He reaffirmed the bedrockprinciple that everyone is entitled to a fair and impartial trial by a jury of hisor her peers, and that excluding even a single person from a jury because ofrace violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution’sFourteenth Amendment. Conclusion This is a life and death struggle to save Mumia. He is ingreater danger than at any time since being arrested.
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Your support and activismis needed. That Mumia remains in prison and on death row is an affront tobasic human rights. We must aggressively continue this struggle until he isfree.
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Yours very truly,Robert R. BryanLaw Offices of Robert R. Bryan2088 Union Street, Suite 4San Francisco, California 94123-4117Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal
[E-mail:RobertRBryan@aol.com