`` It 's an absolute disgrace . '' Maureen Faulkner learned Tuesday that her husband 's convicted killer was selected as the commencement speaker for a graduating class at the Goddard College in Vermont . Thirty-two years ago Mumia Abu-Jamal , born Wesley Cook , was convicted of shooting and killing Faulkner 's husband , Daniel Faulkner , a five-year veteran with the Philadelphia Police Department . `` It 's a disgrace that you have to even hear his voice . My husband has been dead for 32 years and his voice was taken from him by Abu-Jamal , '' Faulkner told CNN in a phone interview . Since his trial , conviction and imprisonment , Abu-Jamal , now 60 , has been a divisive figure . He had made a reputation in Philadelphia as an outspoken radical and radio journalist before Faulkner 's killing in December 1981 . He was originally sentenced to death , but the sentence was commuted to life without parole . Abu-Jamal has maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration and multiple appeals for a new trial , all of which have been denied . Supporters and activists have claimed he is a political prisoner . Human rights groups have questioned whether he received a fair trial . Abu-Jamal resides at Mahanoy state prison in Frackville , Pennsylvania , where he is a correspondent for PrisonRadio.org , which can be heard in more than 100 radio stations each week . He has written seven books and numerous essays , and has been the subject of films and documentaries . This is the second speech Abu-Jamal has given for Goddard students . The first was in 2008 . He also recorded commencement speeches for Evergreen State College in Washington state in 1999 and for Antioch College in Ohio in 2000 . Goddard spokesperson Samantha Kolber told CNN , `` We spoke with Mrs. Faulkner and expressed our deep sympathies , and while he felt for her loss we also felt the students had the freedom to listen to Mumia . '' Abu-Jamal 's commencement speech was recorded via telephone from prison by PrisonRadio.org director Noelle Hanrahan . `` He called in to our studio , '' Hanrahan told CNN . `` We will release it after the students hear it . It 's a reflection of his experience on campus at Goddard . He went to Goddard in the late '70s as an undergraduate . He talks about being able to experience an intellectual life . '' Pennsylvania Department of Corrections policy allows general population inmates , such as Abu-Jamal , to make phone calls to an approved phone list . And as long as he is not breaking any rules , there is nothing corrections officers can do . `` We have tried to intervene but we have been told by the court that we ca n't , '' said the Department of Corrections press secretary , Susan McNaughton . `` We are disappointed that a college would choose to have a convicted murderer , especially a cop killer , be their commencement speaker , '' McNaughton said . Goddard is a small liberal arts college of about 600 students . The median student age is 35 years old . A graduating class of 23 students met with their faculty adviser and a professor , and chose Abu-Jamal as their speaker . `` He is a warm , gracious guy who is very articulate and on top of issues , '' said Hanrahan . `` They are adults making their own decisions , '' said Kolber . She quoted from what she said was an email from a student , saying Abu-Jamal 's case `` 'has been rooted in the struggles for freedom of mind , body , and spirit ... ' which are values that are important to these graduates . '' For Faulkner , this is a `` tragedy . '' `` He ( Abu-Jamal ) is a despicable , callous , dangerous man and people try to put him on a pedestal and make him into something he is not , '' said Faulkner . `` What can Abu-Jamal offer anyone after he so violently took my husband 's life ? '' The college defended the student 's decision in a statement of support sent to CNN . `` Every individual has an inherent worth and dignity and deserves to have their perspective heard even if it is unpopular , '' it read . `` There is academic merit in what Mumia has to say and it is important that we at Goddard College support our students ' right to choose and freedom of speech . '' But Faulkner believes Abu-Jamal lost his freedom when he killed her husband . `` He stepped out of society when he put a bullet between my husband 's eyes . Just as he took my husband 's freedom and life , he lost his rights . Why does he have constitutional rights ? My husband does n't have any . He is 6 feet underground , '' said Faulkner . Abu-Jamal 's speech is expected to be heard Saturday . The recorded remarks will be played alongside a short documentary on his life .
Mumia Abu-Jamal recorded the speech via phone from jail . Abu-Jamal attended Goddard College ; he also gave a speech to students there in 2008 . He is serving a life sentence at a Pennsylvania state prison . Maureen Faulkner : `` What can Abu-Jamal offer anyone after he so violently took my husband 's life ? ''