Anatomy of a Racist Frame-Up
The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal
Appendix No. 1: Affidavit of Arnold R. Beverly
8 June 1999
I, ARNOLD R. BEVERLY, state that the following facts are true and
correct:
I was present when police officer Daniel Faulkner was shot and
killed in the early morning hours of December 9, 1981 near the corner of Locust
and 13th Streets. I have personal knowledge that Mumia Abu-Jamal did not shoot
police officer Faulkner.
I was hired, along with another guy, and paid to shoot and kill
Faulkner. I had heard that Faulkner was a problem for the mob and corrupt
policemen because he interfered with the graft and payoffs made to allow
illegal activity including prostitution, gambling, drugs without prosecution in
the center city area.
Faulkner was shot in the back and then in the face before Jamal
came on the scene. Jamal had nothing to do with the shooting.
Before the shooting, I was shown a picture of Faulkner and told
that Faulkner was supposed to check something at Johnny Ds (at 13th and Locust)
sometime in the early morning hours of December 9.
Two of us were hired for the shooting so that either of us could
take the opportunity to make the hit, get the job done, and leave. The other
guy gave me a .38 caliber policemans special and I was also carrying my
own .22 caliber revolver.
I waited at the speedline entrance at the north east corner of
Locust and 13th at the parking lot. I was wearing a green (camouflage) army
jacket. The other guy waited on the south side of Locust Street east of 13th
Street towards Camac Street.
While I was waiting at the speedline entrance for Faulkner to
arrive at the location, I saw police officers in the area. Two undercover
policemen were standing on the west side of 13th St north of Locust. Also a
uniformed police officer was sitting in a car in the corner of the parking lot.
They were there while the shooting of Faulkner took place. I was not worried
about the police being there since I believed that since I was hired by the mob
to shoot and kill Faulkner, any police officers on the scene would be there to
help me.
After a while I saw Faulkner get out of a small police car parked
behind a VW parked on Locust Street, east of 13th St. Faulkner was alone. He
got out of the police car end went up to the VW.
I heard a shot ring out coming from east on Locust Street.
Faulkner fell on his knee on the sidewalk next to the VW. I heard another shot
and it must have grazed my left shoulder. I felt something hard on my left
shoulder. I grabbed at my shoulder and got blood on my hand.
I ran across Locust Street and stood over Faulkner, who had fallen
backwards on the sidewalk. I shot Faulkner in the face at close range. Jamal
was shot shortly after that by a uniformed police officer who arrived on the
scene.
Cop cars came from all directions. Foot patrol also arrived. I saw
a white shirt getting out of a car in the middle of the 13th & Locust
intersection just as I was going down to the speedline steps.
I left the area underground through the speedline
system and by pre-arrangement met a police officer who assisted me when I
exited the speedline underground about three blocks away. A car was waiting for
me and I left the center city area.
The foregoing is stated subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
Section 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
(signed)
ARNOLD R. BEVERLY
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