Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Aaron Brown) The legal questions surrounding the murder conviction of former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal for the death of Philadelphia policeman Daniel Faulkner in 1981 reviewed; scenes shown of various demonstrations for Abu-Jamal and against the death penalty. [Philadelphia district attorney Lynn ABRAHAM - reacts to the judge's opinion throwing out the death penalty.] [Pennsylvania ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) executive director Larry FRANKEL - talks about the death penalty.] [Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police Michael LUTZ - remembers Faulkner.] [Widow Maureen FAULKNER - reacts to the decision.]

(Studio: Aaron Brown) Discussion held with Faulkner, recording artist/activist Chuck D and journalist/author David Lindorf about the Abu- Jamal case. [From Atlanta, CHUCK D - comments on the climate of the Philadelphia police system in 1981; explains how he got interested in this "one-sided" case.] [From Philadelphia, LINDORF - calls the judge's ruling a "gutless decision" in overturning the penalty while rejecting the issues in dispute over the trial; reviews elements of the original trial.] [From Camarillo, California, FAULKNER - expresses disappointment over the judge's ruling because her family will have to return to the courtroom; accuses Abu-Jamal of making money off the blood of her husband.]