PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A pair of documentaries about death-row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal have debuted in Philadelphia.
Separate screenings were held Tuesday night of "The Barrel of a Gun" and "Justice on Trial." The movies take different views of Abu-Jamal's conviction in the 1981 death of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.
Faulkner was fatally shot after pulling over Abu-Jamal's brother on a downtown street. Authorities say Faulkner managed to shoot Abu-Jamal during the confrontation and the wounded suspect had a gun at his side when officers arrived.
Supporters claim Abu-Jamal is the victim of a racist justice system. But prosecutors say the evidence against him is overwhelming.
A federal appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments next month over whether Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing phase for his trial.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
(AP Photo/Jennifer E. Beach, File)
Separate screenings were held Tuesday night of "The Barrel of a Gun" and "Justice on Trial." The movies take different views of Abu-Jamal's conviction in the 1981 death of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.
Faulkner was fatally shot after pulling over Abu-Jamal's brother on a downtown street. Authorities say Faulkner managed to shoot Abu-Jamal during the confrontation and the wounded suspect had a gun at his side when officers arrived.
Supporters claim Abu-Jamal is the victim of a racist justice system. But prosecutors say the evidence against him is overwhelming.
A federal appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments next month over whether Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing phase for his trial.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
(AP Photo/Jennifer E. Beach, File)
