Mumia Abu-Jamal - Legal Update re new filing deadline

Subject: [Ppnews] Mumia Abu-Jamal - Legal Update re new filing deadline
Date: July 11, 2006 3:25:51 PM PDT



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's
"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


Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal