The decision to allow a man serving a life sentence for killing a police officer in 1981 to deliver a college commencement address is drawing criticism, including from the officer's widow.
Students at Goddard College in Vermont chose Mumia Abu-Jamal, who graduated from the school in 1996, to address their class. Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther, killed white police officer Daniel Faulkner during a traffic stop in Philadelphia.
Witnesses said Abu-Jamal shot Faulkner once and the officer returned fire. Abu-Jamal then walked over to the wounded officer and shot him four more times, point-blank.
Abu-Jamal's case has made him a celebrity to some because he says he is a victim of a racist police and justice system. A jury of 10 whites and two blacks convicted him of murder and sentenced him to death. The death sentence later was overturned.
Abu-Jamal prerecorded his address from prison.
Dustin Byerly, associate director of advancement and alumni affairs at Goddard, told
Fox News Channel's "The Kelly File" on Tuesday that the school didn't oppose the selection because it "advocates for complicated dialogue among complex issues."
Maureen Faulkner, the officer's widow, told Fox News that Abu-Jamal is "evil," adding, "He lost his voice when he put a bullet between my husband's eyes."
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