[col. writ. 9/4/13] © ’13 Mumia Abu-Jamal
Kelvin X. Morris has spent the bulk of his life on Death Row.
Today, he is free.
But, he assured me, it has been a long walk to freedom.
Convicted in 1983 of the 1980 killing of a Philadelphia store owner, he was arrested despite eyewitness testimony which identified his brother, Artie. When Artie’s wife provided an alibi, police chose Kelvin.
Kelvin’s trial before the notorious hanging judge, Albert F. Sabo, relied upon a jailhouse witness who claimed Kelvin confessed.
A simple handwriting analysis could’ve proved that his claim was false. His lawyer never asked for one – and when Kelvin filed a federal appeal after his death warrant was signed (in 1999), the truth came to light, and the case further unraveled.
In 2007, a federal judge granted a new trial but the DA appealed, and the appeals court reversed.
While awaiting a federal evidentiary hearing, the DA made an offer that Kelvin couldn’t refuse.
Plead to a 3rd degree murder – and go home – or fight for another 30 years for a new trial, or perhaps –be executed.
He took the deal. And after 30 years in hell, walked off of death row into freedom.
Said Kelvin, “They wanted to legally lynch me.”
Thanks to his perseverance, that chance is over.
-© ‘13maj