In a major development in one of the nation's most closely watched capital punishment cases, federal Judge William Yohn announced his decision to throw out the death sentence against Mumia Abu Jamal, convicted of the1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. Jamal, an award-winning journalist on Pennsylvania's death row for 20 years, has drawn attention to his case through radio commentaries and the publication of several books critical of the U.S. justice system. Thousands of supporters across the globe have demanded that the 47-year-old former Black Panther be freed or receive a new trial.

Judge Yohn's decision issued Dec. 18, upholds Jamal's first degree murder conviction, but ruled that the state must conduct a new sentencing hearing within six months, or a life sentence without parole would be imposed. Jamal's supporters have vowed to appeal the decision to press their demand for a new trial that would include the testimony of Ronald Beverley, who recently confessed that he, not Jamal killed Daniel Faulkner. Officer Faulkner's wife and many police officials have bitterly condemned the judge's ruling.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Steve Hawkins, an attorney who worked with Mumia Abu Jamal's legal team for six years and now serves as the executive director of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Hawkins analyzes the latest developments in Jamal's case and how they may affect the movement to end capital punishment.

Contact the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty by calling (888) 286-2237 or visit their Web site at www.ncadp.org

Related links:

• "Reversal of Fortune? Mumia's death sentence is overturned, for now" by Dave Lindorff, In These Times, Dec. 22, 2001 Federal Government Does Little to Protect
  Nuclear Power Plants Vulnerable to Terrorist Attack
  Interview by Melinda Tuhus.

  The vulnerability of nuclear power plants to both accidents and terrorist attacks has been an issue of great concern to some from the inception of the nuclear age. But in the wake of Sept. 11, the problem has taken on new urgency.

  The Committee to Bridge the Gap is a nuclear policy organization based in Los Angeles that provides technical assistance to communities in which nuclear plants are located. The group has been working, mostly behind the scenes for more than 20 years to try to improve security at the nation's nuclear power plants, which now number 103.

  These plants also store, on-site, large quantities of high-level radioactive spent fuel with even less security than the plants themselves. After failing to make much progress convincing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take steps to increase security, the Committee to Bridge the Gap recently went public with their concerns at a news conference at the National Press Club.

  Dan Hirsch helped to found the Committee to Bridge the Gap 30 years ago and currently serves as its president. He spoke with Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus about what he believes to be the core problem of nuclear plant safety and offers possible solutions.

  Contact the Committee to Bridge the Gap by calling (831) 462-6136.

  Related links:

  • Urgent Congressional Testimony: "Nuclear Power Reactors Are Inadequately Protected Against Terrorist Attack" Nuclear Control Institute, www.nci.org. Dec. 5, 2001 statement of Paul Leventhal on Behalf of Nuclear Control Institute and Committee to Bridge the Gap before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations "Review of Security Issues at Nuclear Power Plants"
  • "Press Conference on the Vulnerability of Nuclear Power Reactors to Terrorist Attack", transcript of Nuclear Control Institute and Committee to Bridge the Gap, press conference, Sept. 25, 2001.
  This week's summary of under-reported news
  Compiled by Bob Nixon
  • Solitary confinement for HIV-positive prisoners a violation of rights and threatens to spread epidemic. ("Punitive Measures," In These Times, Nov. 26, 2001)
  • Public interest lawyers and civil rights groups filing new barrage of lawsuits against lead industry. ("Lawyers vs. Lead," E: The Environmental Magazine, November/December 2001)
  • Large lumber companies clearcutting old growth Chilcotin forest of British Columbia. ("Buzz Cut," Sierra Magazine, September/October 2001)

  Credits:
  Senior news editor/writer: Bob Nixon
  Program narration: Nigel Rees
  Segment Producer: Melinda Tuhus
  News reader: Elaine Osowski
  Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates
  Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
  Executive producer: Scott Harris