Statement by Ponchai (Kamau) Wilkerson -Execution Date 3/14

Mon, 6 Mar 2000

Mumia Abu Jamal is innocent Shaka Sankofa is innocent Nanon Williams is innocent And all their cases should be thrown out and they should be freed as they are completely innocent of the crimes of which they were alleged to have committed.

Me, Ponchai Wilkerson, I'm not innocent of all wrong doing but I am most surely NOT guilty of Capital Murder. I did not deliberately nor intentionally kill anyone nor did I rob them of their merchandise. This is not a Capital Case. My case deserves another trial. Prosecutorial misconduct warrants it.

It is one thing to have to deal with the fact that my actions, in all its disgracefulness, caused the death of another human being, but then to have those actions taken up by someone else, convicted and sentenced to death upon the lies and manipulations. Well that is more than enough to question the intent of these prosecutors and judges claiming to represent some semblance of justice and uphold the sovereignty of the State.

Am I ashamed of my actions? Indeed, as I am human.. And a human with a soul, But, too, I am angry.... As I, too, have been wronged. Wronged how? What of "misconduct".

During trial as I gave testimony, and upon instruction of the prosecutor, rising before the jury and demonstrating my actions (what exactly took place) the prosecutor was allowed to approach me, grab hold and position my body to his liking, take my arms himself and move them about in motions to fit his ill conceived, fabricated version of the incident. As I protested and moved to re-demonstrate for the jury what actually and factually happened, I was instructed then to seat myself back down. It was through! damage done! I never got to show what happened. My own body misused against me to incriminate me.

Small and/or irrelevant in your opinion? How damaging could that really be? Such actions are likened to taking a bullet, a gun, a blood or hair sample and putting it in a place where once it was not or where once one never existed. In this case, in this instance, the prosecutors positioning of my body and moving about my hands added into this case "deliberateness" and "intent" where never there was any. The judge allowed it without contest, and my inexperienced lawyer did not object. It was one of the most damaging acts of prosecutorial misconduct that took place in my case. The State plans to murder me now. This small act of misconduct is crucial in whatever fate lies ahead of me. I did not deliberately nor did I ever (not for one minute, not one second), have any intent to kill anyone.

As it is fact, the evidence too shows that I never robbed anyone in this case. It shows that I ran off without any merchandise whatsoever, frightened because things occurred that were never intended.

This case started off as one thing and then transformed by detectives and the prosecutor into another. In such an instance a new trial is warranted. In the meantime, I encourage more and more people/groups/organizations to begin attending these trials. Go into these courtrooms (fill them) and see firsthand the dirt that gets slung around in there. Organize group trips to the trials and analyze (even critically) the works of those claiming to represent and serve "justice" and "fairness" there in the dark.

Look at the defendant and then over on the other side and see for yourself if that seems like a "jury of his peers". Listen and look at the inexperienced, overworked, and underpaid, State appointed attorneys. Listen to some of the wisecracks and even the racist or sexist comments of some judges. Witness document and expose it all. You could be of help in some way to someone like myself and so many many more who have been wronged by the courts. Otherwise, in silence and seclusion, the injustices will continue on and on and on until we all become victims of corruption in the courts.

Ponchai Wilkerson