Jamaat al-Muslimeen International Press Release
{Join us to rally for Br. Sulayman, John Walker, in Alexandria,
Virginia on
Feb. 25, 10 am, Monday}
THE PROSECUTION HAS NO CASE AGAINST IMAM JAMIL AL-AMIN but JUDGE
SUPPORTS
PROSECUTION
From: motisola_3@hotmail.com (Motisola Abdallah)
Tuesday February 19, 2002 the front page of the AJC (Atlanta
Journal &
Constitution) carries a full page picture of Imam Jamil Al-Amin with
his son.
The caption reads that they are giving each other the "hi five" palm
slap.
Muslims who were with the Imam when he was having a moment with his son
give
an account that his son told his dad that he had grown a few inches.
Imam
Jamil raised up his hand and told his son to match his hand so that he
could
see how much he had grown. A very tender and loving moment between
father and
son. An AJC reporter snapped the picture who was right there with the
two and
knew exactly what was going on, put that caption under that picture of
them
giving each other the "hi five sign" which was totally untrue.
HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE and INTIMIDATION
When we got downtown to the courthouse, the street on both sides were
lined
with riot police fences on both sides of the street surrounding the
courthouse with two man teams of police on motorcycles at each
entrance. Once
inside we go through the usual metal detector gate and one would think
that
is the end of that. But, when we go upstairs to the actual room where
the
trial is being held, they have set up another security check point with
the
same conveyor belt and metal detector. This is unusual and just one in
many
intimidations methods going on to discourage supporters.
We are made to wait in long lines with no explanations as to why we
are
waiting. Some of us had to wait for two hours. When we did get an
answer from
the deputies, we were told there were no more seats and the courtroom
was
full. Upon insisting that we be let in and that we have been waiting
for
hours, they let some of us in five and ten at a time with another 45
minutes
to an hour before they let the next group of five in. Again we go
through the
metal detector. Once we clear that security check point, we are checked
again
outside the court room with a metal wand device from head to toe.
This again is another ploy to make supporters discouraged and not
come
back. A male sheriff ran the metal detector from my head to my toe
and
had me turn around and ran the metal detector device up and down my
body
again, particularly paying close attention to my Hijab, as if I might
have
hidden something in my scarf. I moved my arm slightly because I
thought he
was finished and he told me I had to be searched again with this
device. So
I'm searched again. Once I got in the courtroom I noticed there were
plenty
of seats in the courtroom. We were lied to that there was no room.
Still many
supporters were not allowed in and they eventually went home.
NO MUSLIMS ON THE JURY
The jury is made up of 9 African Americas, two whites and one
Hispanic.
As the jury is seated, I immediately notice one man with a big chain
around
his neck with a cross hanging from it.
Judge Stephanis Manis briefs the jury and proceeds to read them the 13
count
indictment against Imam Jamil. Manis tries to set the mind set of the
jury by
telling them that the defendant enters into this trial innocent and
until
proven guilty is to be presumed as innocent. She predicts the trial
will go 3
- 5 weeks from 9 am - 6 pm Monday through Friday.
The prosecution opens with a fairly young African American female
attorney who approaches the jury with "please don't shoot me anymore,
please
don't shoot me anymore". These are the words coming from the officer
who was
shot she says and they will prove to the jury that that man, as she
points to
Imam Jamil, is guilty.
BOGUS ARGUMENTS FROM PROSECUTION
You could tell they were trying to build a case they did not have.
The
prosecution admitted that the law enforcement officials made mistakes
and
that there was a lot of confusion that night. She went into how the
defense
will probably bring up minor things like blood and mistaken ID because
it was
very confusing period that night. The prosecution's opening remarks
were
full of contradictions, holes and half truths. The Judge had to ask
for
order in the court several times even sending the jurors out while she
admonished the courtroom (us) about making remarks. We were all so
astonished
as to how they have no case until many of us could not contain
ourselves.
Miss Kelly Stevens, goes on to say that the evidence will speak for
itself
and that Imam Jamil Abdully Al-Amin is guilty.
Every objection that the defense brings up the judge denies it. Next
the
defense opens and within five minutes busted up the prosecution's
opening
remarks and exposes the contradictions, half-truths and lack of any
evidence.
As Lawyer Martin proceeds, the prosecution makes a couple of objections
and
Judge Stephanis Manis sides again with the prosecution. Martin's
arguments
were how they closed the case on March 28th ignoring key evidence that
would
of freed Imam Jamil immediately. Martin states that "they got their man
and
would not look into any other evidence. He hammers at how the deputy is
on
tape as to giving the wrong description of the shooter, something the
prosecution Miss Stevens did not speak about in her openings. Mr.
Martin,
(the Imam's attorney) showed exhibits that busted holes in the
sheriffs
accounts as to what happened that night. Martin says that key witnesses
were
not interviewed that night that saw a short stocky man with an assault
weapon
that night, nor did the prosecution or the FBI look into the matter of
people
seeing a man running away from the scene bleeding that night. The
prosecution
says that there was no blood trail and that it might have been a dog
that was
bleeding. Another key point is that the deputy, Kinchen, swore that he
shot
his defendant, twice in the chest and once in the head as he was
fleeing
after being shot by the defendant. No spent casings or shells were
found
where the deputy says he fired his weapon.
I have pages of notes, but it is clear that the Imam has been set
up. Each
and every time the defense tries to bring in the FBI involvement and
suspection, Judge Manis shoots it down. Several times the jury was
asked to
leave the room, because the supporters are just shocked at what they
are
witnessing. Imam Jamil was kicked, called a dirty name and spit on by an
FBI
agent the night he was captured and Martin wants to know how far was
this
investigated and how was this FBI agent punished and does he still work
for
the FBI and the Judge just about shut the door on these inquiries.
Also, while the deputy was on the witness stand a show was staged by
the
prosecution and the deputy where he, the deputy would break down
several
times after being asked key questioned. Martin objected to this but
also
acknowledging that it may be painful for the the deputy to recall these
events, but he felt that it was planned event. Martine moved for a
mistrial
in lieu of this; of course the judge denied it.
Judge Stephanis Manis reminds me of President Bush. At one point she
points
out she waived the "all rise" when she enters the courtroom because she
knows
that Muslims don't stand or reverence anyone, so the courtroom does not
have
to rise when she enters. President Bush is sending food to Afghanis and
having dinner with Muslims at the white house to try and show his
solidarity
with Muslims. Judge Manis clearly knows that the Imam was set up, there
is no
evidence, he should have been freed long ago and she is boldly siding
with
the prosecution on every issue. President Bush is guilty of bombing
thousands
of Muslims while simultaneously eating with other Muslims here in the
US. They
both are two-faced and cannot be trusted.
Bottom line is that the prosecution has no case and there only
focus is
do what they are told to do and that is to get Imam Jamil!
SUPPORT FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
There are a few people from different parts of the country. New
Black
Panther Party was there, Nation of Islam members, Elain Brown, white
and
black non-Muslim supports from out of town, and a small dismal showing
of
Muslims who were basically from the West End. We could do better. But
the
game is on to discourage us and make us wait.
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For the most extensive reporting on Imam Jamil's case, from day one, go
to:
www.NewTrendMag.org
click on java frames
click on NEWS
go to
Imam Jamil al-Amin
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2002-02-20 Wed 09:26ct