Abu-Jamal v. Horn (July 2006)

Abu-Jamal v. Horn: This brief addresses improper statements by the prosecutor during the 1982 trial of Mumia Abu-Jamal. The brief gives special consideration to the prosecutor’s attempts to guide the jurors to distance themselves from the significance of their decision – whether or not to send a person to death. The prosecutor told the jury that Mr. Abu-Jamal would have “appeal after appeal,” so their decision would not really be final. The brief cites sociological and psychological studies to demonstrate why such a statement is a significant violation of Mr. Abu-Jamal’s rights.