Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 01:56:29 -0500
Subject: M-G: Santa Cruz City Council for Mumia Abu-Jamal


Forwarding this rather interesting development on the Jamal Case to the lists.

Bob Malecki

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>Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 18:28:47 -0800 (PST)
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>From: Tom Condit <tomcondit-AT-igc.apc.org>
>Subject: Santa Cruz City Council for Mumia Abu-Jamal
>Cc: newman-AT-garnet.berkeley.edu
>Sender: tomcondit-AT-igc.org
>
>SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1997
>
>Santa Cruz City Council backs new murder trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal
>By KAREN CLARK, * Sentinel staff writer
>
>SANTA CRUZ - The City Council on Tuesday reportedly became the
>first government body in the nation to pass a resolution demanding
>a new trial for convicted Philadelphia murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal.
>
>"Fairness should be at the core of our legal system," said
>Councilwoman Celia Scott in joining the rest of the council in
>support of the resolution.
>
>Abu-Jamal is now on Pennsylvania's  death row awaiting execution
>for the murder of a police officer. His supporters believe Abu
>Jamal did not receive a fair trial and that the courts are refusing
>to hear new evidence supporting his claims of innocence and a
>police cover-up.
>
>In their resolution, Santa Cruz council members requested the state
>of Pennsylvania grant Abu-Jamal's request for a new trial, and that
>he be given a stay of execution until then.
>
>"There is widespread support for a new trial in this case,
>particularly because of the witnesses for the prosecution who now 
>recant their earlier testimony,, which was used to convict Mumia in
>his first trial," said the resolution, which will be sent to the
>Pennsylvania governor and to U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel.
>
>"There is now a new witness, a police informer, who is prepared to
>testify that other witnesses were pressured to give false
>testimony," said the resolution.
>
>Michael Smith, a member of the Peace and Freedom Party,
>congratulated the council for being the first in the nation to pass
>such a resolution.
>
>"This is a bold move in taking up justice, which does not end at
>your city limits" said Smith. "An injustice has taken place."
>
>                                   -30-
>
>
>Text of Santa Cruz City Council resolution:
>
>RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
>OF THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ
>IN SUPPORT OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
>
>     WHEREAS, Mumia Abu-Jamal is currently on death row in
>Pennsylvania in a case which has brought international attention to
>the serious possibility that the State of Pennsylvania may be
>killing a man who is innocent of the charges against him; and
>
>     WHEREAS; there is widespread support for a new trial in this
>case, particularly because of the witnesses for the prosecution who
>now recant their earlier testimony which was used to convict Mumia
>in his first trial; and
>
>     WHEREAS, there is widespread evidence that the police agency
>involved in the original case and the criminal justice system which
>heard the original case were involved in illegal suppression of
>evidence and pressure on witnesses to falsely testify as to what
>they observed at the scene of the crime; and
>
>     WHEREAS, there is now a new witness, a police informer, who
>is prepared to testify that other witnesses were pressured to give
>false testimony; and
>
>     WHEREAS, the taking of a person's life by the state is
>something that should only be done, if ever, with solid,
>incontrovertible, and certain evidence that demonstrates beyond any
>reasonable doubt that a capital crime has been committed; and
>
>     WHEREAS, that is hardly the situation in the case of Mumia
>Abu-Jamal; and
>
>     WHEREAS, local citizens and organizations in the Santa Cruz
>community have requested that our City join the international
>outcry for a new trial in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal;
>
>     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the
>City of Santa Cruz that the City of Santa Cruz does hereby formally
>request that the State of Pennsylvania and its criminal justice
>system grant the request of Mumia Abu-Jamal for a new trial, and
>that he be given a stay of execution until and unless a new trial
>can be scheduled and completed.
>
>     PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 25th day of March, 1997.
>
>
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