Nov. 6, 1985, Expert Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Ali Z. Hameli, Disputes Decision on Bomb by Medical Examiner’s Office (Dr. Alan Mann). He says “The deaths of the five children were the consequences of the measured and deliberate acts of … the officials of the City of Philadelphia…Therefore, the classification of homicide applies.” Here he is talking about the pre-planned bombing and decision to “let the fire burn.” Read more. Ed Rendell presented a weak case to the Grand Jury in exchange for becoming the Guv.
MOVE members who died on May 13, 1985, didn’t really die from the bomb dropped on their home. They could have escaped out the back door into a rear alleyway, except, when they tried, a fusillade of gunfire forced them back inside the inferno. Philadelphia has never had to admit police were shooting and preventing MOVE members from escaping out the back door. All these officers should be charged with homicide and conspiracy or reckless endangerment.
Expert Pathologist, Dr. Ali Z. Hameli also ruled that AT LEAST 3 MOVE BODIES HAD BULLET FRAGMENTS AND/OR BUCKSHOT FRAGMENTS, including Delisha’s. This provides more evidence of police homicide if we can tie the Philly police in the back alley of the MOVE home forcing fleeing survivors back in the inferno with a fusillade of bullets. We know the ATF supplied automatic rifles wielded by Police? Did these use buckshot? Which officers used weapons? Automatic rifles that fired buckshot? Where were they standing? All these officers, their weapons, if they fired, and their locations are listed in the collection (apart from Dr. Hameli’s info).
We might want to demand D.A. Krasner charge specific officers stationed in the back alley who discharged weapons and/or who saw others discharge weapons but did not report. Were there working weapons in the house or were they all planted by police later? Can’t the buckshot fragment in Delisha’s arm be tied to the police in the back alley? Murder has no time limits. What did Birdie and Ramona say immediately after police custody? What proof can we show to have a case for homicide charges be brought?
Dr. Hameli’s information is critical to charging the relevant Philadelphia police officers stationed in the back alley. We can find this in:
Title: Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission (MOVE) Records
Dates: 1954-1986, bulk 1985-1986
Collection ID: Acc. 669, 727, 764, PC-33
Creator: Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission
Quantity: 31 linear feet (78 boxes)
Repository: Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Organization and Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 8 series as follows:
Series 1: Administrative Files, circa 1985-1986
Series 2: MOVE: Background Files, circa 1985-1986, undated
Series 3: Statement Files, circa 1985
Series 4: City Agencies, circa 1985
Series 5: Non-City Agencies, circa 1985
Series 6: Public Hearings, 1985-1985, undated
Series 7: Evidence, 1954-1985
Series 8: Photographs (PC-33), 1985
There is much more detailed information about the collection online.
Publication and Copyright Information
The Philadelphia Special Investigation (MOVE) Commission Records are in custody of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Preferred Citation for Research
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Philadelphia Special Investigation (MOVE) Commission Records, Acc. 669, 727, 764, PC-33, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The MOVE Commission has the information by Dr. Ali Z. Hameli stored in only 4 places. These include:
Info in bold listed exactly as found in Finding Aid. Info in following square brackets is what I assume this means for requesting it.
(1) Series 1: Administrative Files, circa 1985-1986
3 Dr. Hameli, et al., Medical Consultants (22-9) circa 1985
[I assume this is Series 1: Box 3. Folders 22-29.] Dr. Hameli, et al., Medical Consultants, circa 1985 – 1986.
(2) Series 6:
Depositions: November 5, 1985, 2:05 pm
23, Ali Z. Hameli, Forensic Expert; Lowell J. Levine, Odontologist; Ellis R. Kerley, Anthropologist
[I assume this is Series 6: Box 23, Folder: November 5, 1985, 2:05 pm]
(3) Series 7: Evidence, 1954 – 1985.
41 Hameli, Ali [see also Philadelphia Medical Examiner] Consultant Forensic Pathologist Undated
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 41, Folder: Hameli, Ali]
(4) Series 7: Complete and Final Report
50 Philadelphia Medical Examiner [see also Hameli, Ali] Autopsy Reports 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 50, Folder Philadelphia Medical Examiner [see also Hameli, Ali] Autopsy Reports 1985]
Additional Research if Time
In particular, these might contain evidence of snitching, evidence Philly knew about police homicide death of Life Africa, and Birdie and Ramona Africa’s 1985 testimony of Philly police firing bullets at them. This information might be prohibitively expensive if there is a charge per page for a copy, is there? Can we bring in a portable scanner and scan these documents? Photograph them?
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
41 James, Louise Letter to Brown, Reference Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission Hearings Second Testimony of Commissioner Sambor (451) Undated
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 41, Folder 451]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
43 File on Africa, Life (276) October 9, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 43, Folder 276 (“File on Africa, Life).
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
47 Transcript of Interview, Birdie Africa (39) July 10, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 47, Folder 39 (“Interview of Birdie Africa”).
This might be too many files. But, it could be helpful.
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
56 Index to Homicide Case Series (58) Undated
56 Homicide Files and Reports on MOVE (58-A) Undated
56 Homicide Files & Reports Undated
[I assume these are Series 7: Box 56, Folders 58 & 58-A]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
60 Letter Received from Ramona Africa (454) May 11, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 60, Folder 454 (Letter from Ramona Africa).]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
61 AFT Registration of Automatic Weapon’s (271) Undated
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 61, Folder 271 (AFT Registration of Automatic Weapon’s)]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
62 Arrest of Ramona Africa (59) May 13, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 62, Folder 59 (Arrest of Ramona Africa)]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
62 Revised List of Weapons Available and Ammunition Used (304) Undated May 13, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 62, Folder 304 (Revised List of Weapons Available and Ammo Used)]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
63 Transcript of Tape Recording of Ramona Africa (453) May 12 & 13, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 63, Folder 453 (Transcripts of Ramona Africa)]
Series 7: Complete and Final Report
63 Transcripts (4) of Interviews With “Birdie” by MID and JAD (122) May 13, 14, 15 & 18, 1985
[I assume this is Series 7: Box 63, Folder 122 (Transcripts of Birdie Africa]