Supreme Court Overturns Two Death Sentences 


Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

Good Evening Mumia Supporters!

Please refer to http://www.nytimes.com for the article, "Weighing '96 Law,
Justices Overturn 2 Death Sentences / Rebuff of Appeals Court."

In a front-page New York Times article today, two Supreme Court decisions
seemed to have opened the door a bit wider to the federal courts to
exercise their habeas corpus rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court decided two important cases on Monday that impinge
on the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Both cases, separate and distinct, but
coincidentally titled Willams v. Taylor, dealt with the 1996 Effective
Death Penalty Act of 1996.

The ruling in both cases effectively expanded the habeas corpus rights of
federal courts in regard to reviewing the decisions of state courts. As
expected, the extremely severe restrictions contained in the 1996 Effective
Death Penalty Act were modified somewhat to preserve some review rights.

The court offered a more liberal interpretation of the word "unreasonable"
in regard to the criteria to be employed when federal courts consider
reviewing state court decisions. The court's interpretation therefore
gives federal judges more "wiggle room."

It appears therefore that Federal District Court Judge William H. Yohn Jr.
will have the "legal" right to review the racist state court record of
"hanging" Judge Albert Sabo who ruled against literally every defense
motion in Mumia's case.

Copies of the two long decisions the court made in the Taylor cases can be
purchased from the MOBE for a total of $12.00 which includes postage.
Please send your request and a check or money order made out to "The
Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal" to the address below.

*Reminder: join us for organizing meetings every Saturday until the May 13
Mass Demonstration! Saturdays, 10:30 AM, Centro Del Pueblo, 474 Valencia
St. (near 16th St.), San Francisco, CA.

In Solidarity,

Jeff Mackler, Laura Herrera, Cristina Vasquez Gutierrez
Co-Coordinators
The Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
3425 Cesar Chavez, San Francisco, CA 94110
415-695-7745   Fax: 415-821-0166
http://www.freemumia.org

 
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nytrc-04.21.00-11:23:35-1192