Reported Confession a Lie, Inmate Says

Death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal said a magazine article that reports he expressed regret for killing a Philadelphia police officer is a “rumor-turned-lie.” Abu-Jamal, who has maintained his innocence, released a statement from prison, saying the Vanity Fair piece is wrong and that he had never been contacted about the allegation by anyone connected with the article. Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther, was found guilty of killing Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. Police arriving at the scene found the dying Faulkner and a wounded Abu-Jamal lying near his own gun. Several witnesses identified Abu-Jamal as the shooter. An officer and hospital worker testified during the trial that Abu-Jamal confessed to the killing.