Mumia Abu-Jamal

American political activist and journalist convicted of the murder of a police officer

Mumia Abu-Jamal (born Wesley Cook on April 24, 1954) is an American activist. He was convicted and given the death penalty for the 1981 murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (U.S.).[3] Before his arrest, he was a Black Panther Party member, taxi driver, and journalist. Since he was found guilty, his case has been popular around the world, and he has become a controversial cultural icon. Many people disagree on whether it is right for him to receive the death penalty, if he is guilty, or if he had a fair trial.[4][5][6] While he was in prison, he has published several books and other commentaries, notably Live from Death Row (1995). As of 2013, Abu-Jamal is still in prison.[7] His legal appeals are not settled, and he is a prisoner at State Correctional Institution Greene near Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. All of his appeals to date have been denied.

Mumia Abu-Jamal
Picture of Mumia in around 1980
Born (1954-04-24) April 24, 1954 (age 70)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NationalityAmerican
EducationBenjamin Franklin High School (Philadelphia)
Goddard College (B.A.)
California State University, Dominguez Hills (M.A.)[1]
OccupationJournalist/activist
Spouse(s)1.Biba (former)
2.Marilyn "Peaches" Cook (former)
3.Wadiya (current)
Children3[2]
Parent(s)William and Edith Cook

References

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  1. "Mumia Abu-Jamal". Seven Stories Press. Archived from the original on 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  2. Burroughs, Todd Steven (December 2001). "Mumia Abu-Jamal's Family Faces Future While Fighting Fear 20th Anniversary of 1981 Shooting Approaches". NNPA News Service. Archived from the original on 2008-02-19. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  3. Commonwealth v. Abu-Jamal, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District, Philadelphia, Case Nos. 1357-59.
  4. "A Life in the Balance: The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal". Amnesty International. February 17, 2000. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  5. Taylor Jr., Stuart (December 1995). "Guilty and Framed". The American Lawyer. Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  6. "European Parliament resolution 9(f) B4-1170/95 (p. 39 of original, 49 of pdf)". European Parliament. September 21, 1995. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  7. Decision of Appeal upon Judgment of Sentence in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Mumia Abu-Jamal, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (July 9, 2013)