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CNN Live At Daybreak
20 Years Later, Judge Throws Out Abu-Jamal Death Sentence
Aired December 19, 2001 - 05:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In Philadelphia, the district attorney plans to appeal a federal court ruling overturning the death sentence of Mumia Abu-Jamal. He was convicted 20 years ago for killing a Philadelphia police officer.
Details from Bruce Gordon of CNN affiliate WTXF.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAUREEN FAULKNER, WIDOW: We all have a bond.
BRUCE GORDON, WTXF CORRESPONDENT: It was just over a week ago that Maureen Faulkner returned to Philadelphia from her California home to help honor her husband Danny on the 20th anniversary of his murder at the hands of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Now this.
FAULKNER: I think Judge Yohn is trying to play the middle of the road. I think he's trying to appease both sides. And I also think that it was very bad timing on the judge's part to make a decision a week before Christmas like this. It's so upsetting for our family.
GORDON: In fact, federal Judge William Yohn rejected Abu-Jamal's bid for a new trial. But Judge Yohn agreed the jury that sentenced Abu-Jamal to death may have based its decision on confusing directions from the trial judge. Yohn has ordered Philadelphia's district attorney to reconvene a sentencing hearing. A new jury will decide whether Abu-Jamal should be sent back to death row or spend the rest of this life behind bars.
The D.A. called that decision disturbing, says she'll appeal.
LYNNE ABRAHAM, PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY: We believe that this proceeding, not only the trial, but the penalty phase of the trial, was perfectly proper, always within Pennsylvania law and federal law.
GORDON: Faulkner's colleagues at the Fraternal Order of Police were even angrier. They say the jury had spoken.
RICH COSTELLO, POLICE UNION PRESIDENT: And to have them second guessed by some buffoon on the bench a week after the 20th anniversary of Officer Faulkner's murder when he's been sitting on the case for over two years is an outrage.
PAM AFRICA: Mumia Abu-Jamal...
GORDON: Abu-Jamal supporters, who earlier this month staged the latest in a long series of rallies on his behalf, are also disappointed in this split decision. Pam Africa says she is angry that Abu-Jamal wasn't simply released by the judge.
(on camera): Maureen Faulkner has often spoken of the emotional wounds that are ripped open with each new appeal and delay in this case. But she vows she will return to Philadelphia when this resentencing hearing convenes.
(voice-over): With the D.A.'s appeal, it is not clear when that will happen. And so for now at least, Abu-Jamal appears a step farther away from his date with death.
In Philadelphia, Bruce Gordon, Fox News.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: Later this hour we'll hear about the case from defense attorney Johnny Cochran and the police officer's widow.
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