Now, perhaps these “convicts waiting for trial” were previously convicted inmates being sent to trial for further deliberation on alleged new crimes. That, though, would be an all-too-charitable reading of the expression chosen by Faulkner here. It is more likely - and all evidence from Faulkner’s and Smerconish’s rhetoric in the book suggests this – that she is instead presuming that if one has been apprehended for trial , or is “waiting for trial,” one is already a “convict,” at least a bad person, not of the “good people.” It is another assumption of ill repute that she projects on those who are not clearly part of the system that continues to serve her in so many ways.
In this same passage, Faulkner also says that the “convicts” “boisterously jeered as we solemnly walked in,” not bothering to tell readers how they would know to jeer at her and for what. It is enough that she is one who sees them jeering. She goes on to allege that “very angry pro-Abu-Jamal protestors” chased her and about ten others, including attorneys and two cops (145).
Her spirits were soothed that day only by “pleasant conversation” with Ed Rendell, who “has always been a strong supporter of mine.” Then Mayor Rendell arranged for her and Paul to make a trip to the top of City Hall where they enjoyed, as she puts it, “the pristine perfection of our temporary solitude – perched high atop the city where the madness raged below us” (146).
Clearly, as this book makes clear, Maureen Faulkner and her family have had the ups and downs suffered by nearly all victims of violent crimes, and she’s had still more highs and lows born of her relentless struggle alongside Philadelphia authorities to see Abu-Jamal executed. She also has had what many murder victims families have not had,[15] years of supportive police culture, police van escorting and mayoral sponsorship for visits to the high places (literally and metaphorically)of city government.
In spite of all this official support, Faulkner and Smerconish have not offered in this book a convincing discourse that seriously reflects upon what justice might be in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Let us hope that the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals, now considering Abu-Jamal’s case, can offer a more discerning wisdom.
[1] See, for example, Dave Lindorff, “Maureen Faulkner and Mumia: Vengeance Isn’t Sweet,” OpEdNews http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_dave_lin_071202_maureen_faulkner_and.htm (accessed December 13, 2007).
[2] For information on both of these matters, see the English manuscript of the German publication, Race Against Death: The Struggle for the Life and Freedom of Mumia Abu-Jamal, pages 200-202, and 219-22, respectively.
[3] “Book signing and rally to remember Danny Faulkner,” posted by Derek Bargeld on December 10, 2007 http://www.newsnet14.com/?p=7689&print=1 (accessed December 13, 2007).
[4] Peter F. Vaira, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 27, 1995, and “Trampling the Public Trust: Philadelphia Police Abuses Reveal Systemic Injustice, Action Update, October 1995 (Hyattsville, MD: Equal Justice USA, 1995), 3-5.
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