Officer's Widow Counters Mumia Campaign

AP via SFGate ^ | 12/4/7 | KATHY MATHESON, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

PHILADELPHIA, (AP) -- It's a case that has been examined and re-examined for more than two decades: the murder of a white police officer by a former Black Panther.

Mumia Abu-Jamal's fatal shooting of Daniel Faulkner has become one of the most prominent death row cases in the world. But throughout 26 years of litigation, one part of the story has been largely overshadowed.

The officer's widow, Maureen Faulkner, talks about her side of the case in "Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain and Injustice," a book written with political pundit and conservative radio talk-show host Michael Smerconish. The book is being released Thursday by a small publisher, The Lyons Press, an imprint of The Globe Pequot Press.

"It's been a therapy for me. It really has. The truth is now on paper on what happened the night Danny was murdered," Faulkner said in a recent interview.

The memoir chronicles Faulkner's attempt to rebuild her life as she fights Abu-Jamal's numerous appeals, travels the country to debunk what she calls myths about the case and strives to ensure that her husband is not forgotten.

Daniel Faulkner was a 25-year-old newlywed when he was gunned down Dec. 9, 1981. A jury concluded Abu-Jamal shot Faulkner several times after seeing the officer scuffle with Abu-Jamal's brother, who had been pulled over in downtown Philadelphia. The verdict has withstood numerous appeals.

But Abu-Jamal, a one-time journalist, has garnered worldwide support for claims that he was the victim of a biased U.S. justice system. His message has resonated particularly on college campuses and in the movie and music industries — actors Mike Farrell and Tim Robbins were among dozens of luminaries who used a New York Times ad to advocate for a new trial, and the Beastie Boys played a concert...

[mware]

I ran into one of Mumia's supporters once on MSNBC chat (John Gibson's Show) years ago. He threatened to find me, and eviscerate me while still alive, among other things.

Caused quite a stir on that chat line. They are some sick, violent people.

[Popman]

Wesley Cook should die already.