Prosecutors Stand by Former Militant's Conviction, Blast Judge's Misconduct

Georgia prosecutors defend 2000 murder conviction of ex-Black Panther leader, but accuse original prosecutor of 'grave and clear' misconduct.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Georgia prosecutors are defending the 2000 murder conviction of former Black Panther leader Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, known as H. Rap Brown, saying new DNA evidence still points to his guilt in the shooting of two sheriff's deputies. However, they also accuse the case's original lead prosecutor, now a Fulton County judge, of 'grave and clear' misconduct during the trial.

Why it matters

The case has long divided civil rights advocates and law enforcement, and the prosecutors' acknowledgment of serious wrongdoing by the former prosecutor raises questions about the integrity of the original conviction. While standing by the conviction, the prosecutors say they do not object to a hearing to re-examine the case in its entirety.

The details

Prosecutors say the former prosecutor, Robert McBurney, who is now a superior court judge, engaged in misconduct that 'undermined the core principles of justice,' including misrepresenting evidence and withholding critical information from the defense. They also accuse an FBI agent involved in the investigation of misconduct, including kicking and spitting on Al-Amin while he was handcuffed and saying 'This is what we do to cop killers.'

  • On March 16, 2000, Fulton County sheriff's deputies went to Atlanta's West End neighborhood to serve a warrant on Al-Amin.
  • Al-Amin was arrested four days later in White Hall, Alabama.

The players

Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin

Also known as H. Rap Brown, a former Black Panther leader who was convicted of murder in 2000 for the shooting of two sheriff's deputies.

Robert McBurney

The original lead prosecutor in Al-Amin's trial, who is now a Fulton County superior court judge and has been involved in several high-profile political cases.

Fani Willis

The current Fulton County District Attorney whose office is defending Al-Amin's conviction while also accusing McBurney of misconduct.

James Campbell

An FBI special agent involved in the investigation who is accused of misconduct, including kicking and spitting on Al-Amin while he was handcuffed.

Ricky Kinchen

A Fulton County sheriff's deputy who was killed in the 2000 shooting incident.

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What they’re saying

“These were not minor oversights; they reflected a troubling pattern of behavior that prioritized winning over truth, and conviction over justice.”

— Fani Willis' office, Fulton County District Attorney (ksgf.com)

“His legacy is still at the center of this.”

— Mawuli Davis, Al-Amin's attorney (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant a hearing to re-examine the case in its entirety.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding criminal justice, the integrity of prosecutions, and the lasting impact of misconduct by law enforcement and the judiciary. The acknowledgment of serious wrongdoing by the original prosecutor raises questions about the fairness of the original conviction, even as prosecutors stand by the DNA and other evidence.