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GUESTS: Brian McCann of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty in Texas, Ray Ramirez, a member of the Welfare Poets

On August 31st, the state of Texas plans to murder death row inmate 29 year old Hassan Shakur. Formerly known as Derrick Wayne Frazier, Shakur was convicted in the 1997 double murder of Betsy and Cody Nutt in Refugio County, Texas. Anti-death penalty activists are calling on Texas Governor Rick Perry to grant Hassan Shakur clemency on the grounds that he did not receive a fair trial. Shakur was tried and convicted by an almost all-white jury who sentenced him to death despite the lack of physical evidence placing him at the scene of the crime. The sole piece of incriminating evidence was a video tape of Shakur confessing to the murders. However, crucial information related to the video was never provided to the jury. Also, according to witness testimony, one juror had contact with the husband of one of the victims during the trial. Hassan Shakur’s defense attorney was also under investigation for misconduct as he handled Shakur’s case. Jermaine Herron, a friend of Shakur’s, who was also convicted in the double murder, was killed by the state in earlier this year in May.

Hasan’s supporters are sending pleas for clemency to to Texas Governor Rick Perry, at (512) 463-2000 or Fax (512) 463-1849. For more information, visit www.hasanshakur.com.

Mumia Abu Jamal is a political prisoner and death row inmate. He wrote a commentary on Hasan Shakur. Mumia’s commentaries are online at: www.prisonradio.org.

Download the Welfare Poets’, Song for Hasan: http://www.welfarepoets.com/Music/Song_For_Hasan.mp3

Find out more about “Cruel and Unusual Punishment” by the Welfare Poets at: http://www.myspace.com/deathpenaltycd