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OVERVIEW OF AFFIDAVITS FILED IN MAY 2001 • Mumia Abu-Jamal's new legal team filed a series of affidavits and documents in May, 2001 including three affidavits/ declarations that deal directly with what happened on December 9, 1981. Documents filed include: declarations from Mumia himself; his brother William Cook; Arnold Beverly: who has confessed to the shooting and is ready to testify in court; an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer about Police corruption quoting a now known FBI informant, Donald Hersing, and his sworn statement; and a declaration from Philadelphia Tribune reporter Linn Washington regarding his account of the unprotected crime scene shortly after the incident. (Also see "May 4 Press Release" and "NEW LAWYERS FILE AFFIDAVITS: MUMIA DIDN'T DO IT" article) • Mumia & his brother state - Mumia is innocent: In their declarations, both Mumia and his brother, William Cook, tell what happened in the early morning hours of Dec. 9, 1981 for the first time. They explain in their statements why they have not related this information before. • Man confesses to shooting: Arnold Beverly says that he killed the police Officer Faulkner. In his declaration, Beverly explains that he was hired to shoot Faulkner because the policeman was interfering with corruption and graft within the police department. The defense asked Judge Yohn for permission to take a deposition of Arnold Beverly when they filed the his statement. The prosecution has objected. The legal team states in their response, “If the District Attorneys Office believed its own representation to the District Court and the media that Beverly’s confession is a 'patently outrageous story' and a 'lie,' they would welcome, rather that oppose, being given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness under oath." (depositions are sworn statements with a court reporter present that offer both sides an opportunity to question a witness). See Press Release and Defense Response Brief Re: Request for Deposition of Arnold Beverly • Lie detector test corroborates Beverly’s confession: Noted polograph expert Charles R. Honts, Ph.D. reported in his affidavit that Arnold Beverly verbally confessed to him and submitted himself to a polygraph examination and audio taping of the session with him. Dr. Honts stated that Mr. Beverly wanted the polograph to show that he did shoot the policeman but would not say so on tape, during the test. Dr. Honts conducted the lie detector test and and concluded that Arnold Beverly was telling the truth when he said Mumia was innocent and Beverly was lying when he said “no” to the question did he, Beverly, shoot the officer. In response to the lie detector showing that he lied when he said “no,” Mr Beverly stated, “Good, maybe now they will believe me.” See Excerpt of Affidavit: Report of polygraph examination of Arnold Beverly. • Informant describes rampant police corruption: Donald Hersing, who worked for the FBI (1981-'82) also provided an affidavit. He describes precisely the kind of corruption among Philadelphia police that Beverly says he was acting to protect. His description provides a context for a Philadelphia reality of police corruption. This is the same police department investigated and monitored by the U.S. Depart. of Justice, resulting in hundreds of framed people being released. Also see PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ARTICLE FROM JULY 15,1984 (part a 4 part series regarding police corruption) • Crime scene unguarded: Linn Washington, writer for the Philadelphia Tribune, tells us in his declaration that only a few hours after the incident, the crime scene at 13th & Locust was left completely unguarded – in contrast to normal procedure he had routinely witnessed on his beat as crime reporter. We already know about the failure of regular police procedures in this case: no regular tests, bullets "lost," etc. Washington's statement reinforces this picture of a frame-up by police who knew full well Mumia was not the one who shot Officer Faulkner. • Prosecution seeks to deny Mumia counsel of choice: In a move reminiscent of Mumia’s trial, The D.A. is objecting to Mumia’s selection of pre-eminent British Barrister Nick Brown as a member of his defense team. Attorneys from other nations are routinely admitted to practice before American Courts. The only issue is whether an attorney is qualified. Mr. Brown is highly qualified, and, perhaps, too qualified for the District Attorney. Members of the new legal team for Mumia Abu-Jamal are Marlene Kamish of Chicago, Eliot Grossman of Los Angeles, British Barrister Nicholas R.D. Brown, and local counsel is Philadelphia attorney J. Michael Farrell. See Press Release and Defense Response Brief . (On July 5, 2001 An order issued by Judge Yohn admits British attorney Nick Brown into federal court as one of Mumia's attorneys. The prosecution's attempt to deny Mumia council of his choice was not successful!) • Educate & Mobilize: Our protests need to be redoubled during this crucial time in Mumia's case. • Although Arnold Beverly has confessed, Mumia Abu-Jamal, an innocent man, remains in prison! RELEASE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL! Write to Mumia! Mumia Abu-Jamal, AM 8335, SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370 The July 15, 1984 Philadelphia Inquirer article is forthcoming.

• Download Brochure (pdf format, 140k)
Brochure: includes declarations of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Arnold Beverly, Terri-Maurer-Carter, Yvette Williams, William Cook, and short update as of Feb 2002

• OVERVIEW OF AFFIDAVITS as of MAY 2001