Customer Reviews

The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book does a good job of presenting the dubious evidence from the trial of Mumia Abu-Jamal and makes a convincing argument for what actually happened the night of the murder of Daniel Faulkner. While Mumia Abu-Jamal is still in prison for this murder, it is obvious from the trial transcripts that he did not receive a fair trial - the main witnesses for the prosecution were both paid police informers and the police did not thoroughly investigate the crime scene. Overall an excellent case for how Abu-Jamal has been framed and should be free.

This book is highly recommended. The anti-Mumia crowd always says "READ THE TRANSCRIPTS!". Well, J. Patrick O'Connor has thoroughly read all the transcripts and has concluded that the trial was blatantly unfair, Mumia was framed by police, and that he is factually innocent!

Strong words, huh? O'Connor backs it up. He confidently argues that the actual shooter was one Kenneth Freeman, as he details in his recent interview with me at my "Journalists for Mumia" website: Abu-Jamal-News.com. Check out this interview for a good preview of the book, as O'Connor lays out just how Mumia was "framed" and why he believes Kenneth Freeman was the actual shooter.

Many readers no doubt already believe that Mumia's guilty and had a fair trial. I truly hope these folks will have the courage to read this book and hear "the other side" for themselves. What can it hurt? Fortunately O'Connor is an excellent writer and the book is a smooth and easy read, tying together a controversial case that is rather complex.

This is a must read for anyone who wants to really know the facts of the case.

I knew little about the Mumia case and found this book an excellent, well organized summary of the evidence. O'Connor presented both the evidence against Mumia on which the jury verdict likely rested and the evidence that was overlooked or likely perjured. He also gave a candid account of the ways in which Mumia was his own worst enemy during the trial. All in all, I found that the book made a persuasive case that Mumia was innocent of the charge against him.

O'Connor's important book tears apart the prosecution's arguments in Mumia's original trial, showing that he in fact is completely innocent of any crime. Additionally it clearly demonstrates the validity of his current claims for a new trial.

Buy it, read it.

I've been interested in the Mumia Abu-Jamal case for some time, and Mr. O'Connor's book has filled what gaps there have been for me about this case. It is not often that I read a book and feel that the author's treatment of the subject is so thorough that there would not have to be another on it for very many years. This is how I feel about Mr. O'Connor's book. He answers every question anyone would ever want to ask about this case. Obviously, he is not only an excellent writer, but also researcher. Although I do certainly understand the grief of Officer Danny Faulkner's widow, Maureen, I do now think that American justice should give Mumia Abu-Jamal another trial.

Whether you believe Mumia Abu-Jamal killed Officer Faulkner or you believe he is innocent, do read this book.

From the attempted murder of Mumia Abu-Jamal on a Philadelphia street to the Post-Conviction Relief Act hearings, J. Patrick O'Connor offers an in-depth view of the coerced witness testimony and the police, prosecutorial, and judicial misconduct involved in this well-known case. O'Connor reveals the evidence used to convict Abu-Jamal in a show trial to rival any in the former Soviet Union.

How does this happen in a courtroom in the United States? Actually it happens more often than most will acknowledge in our broken criminal justice system. To allow a measly $1400 total budget for defense in a capital murder case is criminal in and of itself, and successfully eliminated the possibility of any actual investigation by defense and any expert witness testimony. Don't let them fool you - the outcome of this trial had already been decided on a Philadelphia street.

The jury selection is often a most important part in a trial, and in this case the prosecutor and judge made sure that they had complete control of the situation. The defense had no opportunity to participate in jury selection and Abu-Jamal was denied his right of self-representation in this kangaroo court.

Prostitutes make such great witnesses, especially when they have pending criminal prosecutions. Cynthia White prostituted herself to cops, prosecutors, and the ridiculously biased Judge Sabo, and she was the main witness even though it is clear that she wasn't at the crime scene and couldn't have seen anything.

So much really bothers me after reading this extremely well-written book, but a main issue from my viewpoint is Maureen Faulkner's acceptance of this shoddy excuse for an investigation and the subsequent railroading of Abu-Jamal. Doesn't she care that the actual murderer has never faced prosecution? Note to Maureen: When you are truly the "good guy," falsified and/or coerced testimony, denial of basic constitutional rights, burying exculpatory evidence, and railroading the defendant in a sham trial is absolutely unnecessary. These people have done you no favors, and actually quite the opposite.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in justice or injustice.

The Framing of Mumia Abu Jamal is a delusionary work that ignores the facts and overwhelming evidence of the case against Mumia. O'connor repeats the same talking points that have been circulated by radical Mumia supporters. There is nothing new here...except his outlandish claim that Mumia was somehow framed by Mayor Frank Rizzo. Problem is: Rizzo was no longer Mayor when Officer Dan faulkner was assassinated by Mumia. The Mayor was William Green, a liberal leaning democrat whom was the first Mayor in history to lay off Police officers.
One dubious witness came forward 15 years after the trial and was discredited immediately. Three eye witnesses at the scene implicated jamal. Putting aside eye witnesses, the gun used by Mumia, which was found at his side as he sat wounded on the curb at the scene, was registered to him(William Cook...his real name). Ballistics tests matched the bullets in Faulkner to Jamal's gun. It also matched the bullet taken from jamal to faulkners gun. Judge Sabo afforded Mumia every opportunity to present his case. Mumia disrupted the trial at every turn with slogans and insults towards the judge... and his own attorneys(whom he fired).
I can only assume that O'Connor is another bleading heart latching on to a cause. The real victim in all of this is Officer faulkner's family whom have suffered through decades of frivilous appeals as well as taunts and threats by radical Mumia supporters. Faulkner's Mother died a few years after his murder of a broken heart.
In the book "Murdered by Mumia", one social worker whom befriended Mumia disclosed that while visiting him in jail, Mumia off-handedly addmitted killing Officer Faulkner. None of the facts seem to make a difference to those whom hold Mumia in adulation. Only they will enjoy this book. Save your money on this one.