Killing Time (Paperback)

~ Dave Lindorff (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book we've been waiting for. Lindorff brilliantly manages the hardest play of all. Commendable for its allegiance to truth. -- Counterpunch February 16-28 2003

Product Description

In the first independent book on the case, which arrives at conclusions not by conviction but by reportage, investigative reporter Dave Lindorff offers explosive new evidence about the prosecution, the defense and Mumia Abu-Jamal. Consider the evidence being kept hidden from the public--by both the defense and the prosecution. New evidence to show presiding Judge Sabo had made up his mind about the case—and the punishment—before the trial’s end. The extent of police corruption—not just in Philadelphia, but of a third of those working directly on the case. The disastrous missteps of Abu-Jamal’s appellate lawyers and the secret flaws of his new defense team. The struggle over Abu-Jamal’s new line of defense arguing that a hit man may have been involved. New evidence about the "blurted out" confession Abu-Jamal is alleged to have uttered. What Judge Yohn, who set aside the death sentence, missed entirely. And the missing evidence that reveals the presence of another participant at the shooting scene. This is a compelling page-turner by an investigator who never stops digging. Wherever you started on this famous case, Lindorff will leave you with an entirely new perspective.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Common Courage Press (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567512283
• ISBN-13: 978-1567512281
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,000,338 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The facts at last, January 15, 2003

By A Customer

Beyond the protests and the politics, the celebrity involvement and the media hype, what do you know about the death row case of Mumia Abu-Jamal? Most of us would answer, "Very little." In Killng Time, Dave Lindorff compiles existing information from court records, police and media reports, as well as conducting new interviews in the hope of finally making sense of this confusing case. He thoroughly analyzes all the pieces, including the questionable motives of many key players, in an attempt to find the truth and expose the numerous inconsistencies. He makes no assertions regarding Mumia's innocence or guilt but makes a strong case for police corruption and judicial irregularities that have kept Mumia on death row for 20 years without yet having the benefit of a fair trial.

This objective, investigative reporter questions the police, the judge, the prosecution, the defense, as well as the defendant and his supporters. Lindorff works hard to maintain objectivity in the face of overwhelming evidence of mistakes, poor legal strategy, lies and deals. Killing Time gives us raw facts along with thoughtful analysis, including that which has been suppressed, ignored or misinterpreted. I am grateful for finally getting the facts behind this case.

Killing Time is interesting and well written. One's views of our justice system will be challenged. After Chapter 2, I had read enough to realize that justice was not served. Lindorff continues with startling revelations and clear insight for the next 10 chapters. It is fascinating, yet also disturbing, when one realizes that a man's life is in the balance in this case.

Reading this book helped me to better understand the actions of Governor Ryan of Illinois who recently commuted the death sentences of 167 people because of "the demon of error" in the judicial system. If the system in Illinois is anything like the Philadelphia system described in this book, it makes his actions understandable, perceptive and heroic.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got it for class, April 11, 2007

By	Gresham Omalley "Criminal Justice Student" (Villanova PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Needed this for a class. Good to see other side of the story and still believe that the man did the crime. Still always want to be fair and see both sides of a story.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written by a master journalist., December 12, 2002

By	"susannadodgson" (Haddonfield, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I have heard Mr Lindorff talk about the good and bad sides of American justice on CNN and network television and was astonished at his reporting that the US Government Terrorism hotline is answered by staff at the television show "America's Most Wanted". In "Killing Time" Mr Lindorff has sensitively balanced the needs for fairness and closure in the tragedy of the murder of a young policeman followed by the assignment to death row of one of Philadelphia's most promising broadcast journalists.
Susanna J Dodgson, PhD, Publisher, Emerald Pademelon Press.