Mumia Legal Update: July 15, 2006

Mumia Legal Update: July 15, 2006

Dear Friends:

The United States Court of Appeals, Philadelphia, recently granted my motion for an extension of time to file our opening brief on behalf of Mumia Abu-Jamal. It is now due on July 20, 2006.

As a renowned journalist who is known as the "voice of the voiceless," Mr. Abu-Jamal has become a powerful symbol in the global campaign against the death penalty and for human rights. Our goal is to see that the many wrongs which have occurred in this case are righted and that this courageous man is freed.

Our brief will address issues of great constitutional significance concerning my client's right to a fair trial, due process of law, equal protection of the law, and to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. Under review by the federal court is the prosecutor "appeal-after-appeal argument that essentially asked the jury to disregard reasonable doubt and the presumption of innocence, his systematic exclusion of African Americans from the jury, the trial court giving jury instructions that in effect precluded the consideration of mitigating evidence that would have avoided the death penalty, and, the bias of Judge Albert F. Sabo during post-conviction proceedings. It has been discovered that this judge said during a trial recess, in reference to Mr. Abu-Jamal, that he was "going to help 'em fry the n----r."

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, , Inc., and the National Lawyers Guild, will be filing separate amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs. These will strengthen our quest to protect the constitutional rights of Mr. Abu-Jamal and see justice done. Professor Judith L. Ritter, associate counsel, and I intend to win a new and fair trial. The ultimate objective is the freedom of our client.

We are grateful for your support in this struggle for human rights and against the death penalty.

With best wishes,

Robert R. Bryan

Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan
2088 Union Street, Suite 4
San Francisco, California 94123