By Governor Tom Wolf from Harrisburg, PA - 2019 Inauguration of Governor Tom Wolf and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76077507

John Fetterman has proudly spoken about his board of pardons, which has advocated for things such as ending the life sentencing of those convicted of second-degree murder. Fetterman has requested that Celeste Trusty serve as secretary of the board. Trusty, someone who considers herself a friend of Abu-Jamal, a man who is serving a life sentence for murdering Daniel Faulkner, a police officer, in 1981. Trusty, a left-wing advocate who has called for police reform and disarming the police, has proudly stated she regularly stays in contact with Abu-Jamal.

Senate hopeful John Fetterman appointed a self-described “friend” of cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal to serve on the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, placing a supporter of the former Black Panther at an office Fetterman has called his “bully pulpit for criminal justice reform.”

Fetterman in January tapped Celeste Trusty to serve as secretary of the board, which Fetterman oversees as Pennsylvania lieutenant governor. Trusty, who served as Fetterman’s campaign political director, is a longtime prison reform activist who has called to “disarm the police.” She is also an avowed supporter of Abu-Jamal, who is serving a life sentence for the 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. Trusty referred to Abu-Jamal as a “friend” and “my buddy,” and has said she frequently corresponds with him. Abu-Jamal’s case has become a cause celebration for left-wing activists who want him released from prison for what they claim is a wrongful conviction.

Fetterman, who has said his main reason for running for lieutenant governor was to oversee the Board of Pardons, has worked closely with Trusty over the years. Both have pushed for an end to mandatory life sentences for people convicted of second-degree murder. They took part in a “Power of a Pardon” event last year, when Trusty served on Fetterman’s campaign. Trusty worked on the campaign from March 2021 until January 2022, according to Federal Election Commission records.

While Trusty does not vote on individual pardon applications, she oversees the board’s daily operations, moderates its hearings and advises board members. Fetterman’s office has declined the Free Beacon’s requests for video or transcripts of board hearings.
It is unclear whether Fetterman shares Trusty’s views of Abu-Jamal, who had his death penalty sentence overturned in 2011. Fetterman’s campaign and the lieutenant governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Fetterman choosing not to make a statement on if he agrees with Trusty’s views and relationship with Abu-Jamal is not enough to assume that Fetterman has an objection. Trusty’s relationship with Abu-Jamal would be enough for most politicians to steer clear of being associated with her, however, Fetterman appears to be hand-picking her for this position.



Comments

  1. Come on Pennsylvania, you do not want this guy making ANY decisions, let alone decisions on who will serve as Federal Judges and possibly SCOTUS Justices!! I don’t care what you think of OZ, you can not allow, by NOT voting, this man to serve in the United States Senate!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *