A Win For Danny Faulkner

Unfortunately, his murderer, Wesley Cook, is still breathing.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania's highest appeals court has rejected a request by convicted killer Mumia Abu-Jamal for a hearing into his claims that witnesses in his case perjured themselves.

The state Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a unanimous ruling saying the former Black Panther and radio reporter waited too long to file a post-conviction appeal in the matter.

Abu-Jamal was convicted of shooting to death Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. A federal judge in 2001 overturned Abu-Jamal's death sentence but upheld his conviction.

His case has attracted international notoriety. A separate appeal in the case, regarding claims of racial bias and faulty jury instructions, is pending before the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. (H/T - AP)

I am so sick of hearing about this case. The Faulkner assassination encompasses everything that is wrong with the American legal system. Appeal after appeal, motion after motion, lame excuse after lame excuse. Look, I'll simplify the case for those of you not in the know: Wesley Cook shot Danny Faulkner in the face as he stood over him. Cook's brother was on the scene, and - to date - he has never spoken a word about the incident.

If you thought your own brother was being framed by the racist white Philadelphia Police Department, wouldn't you be shouting your testimony from the top of City Hall? The brother was there, witnessed the crime, and has not once come forth and said, "My brother is innocent."

To me, that speaks volumes about "Jamal's" guilt.

(Captain America has his thoughts here.)