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Goddard College has announced that Mumia Abu-Jamal, who is in prison, convicted of killing of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981, will be the commencement speaker this week. (Goddard has numerous commencements to reflect the individualized programs of its students.) Abu-Jamal received a bachelor's degree from Goddard, remotely, and he has recorded his commencement speech from jail. His many defenders say that he did not receive a fair trial and should be considered a political prisoner. But police groups continue to criticize those who support Abu-Jamal. John McNesby, president of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, told CBS Philly that "we have somebody who’s a convicted murderer, who’s in prison, and they’re allowed to be able to have special privileges."