On August 8, 1978, a confrontation between Philadelphia police and MOVE ended with a police officer dead and nine MOVE members arrested. All nine were convicted of third-degree murder. All nine received sentences of 30-100 years—far exceeding typical sentences for that charge.
To this day, the MOVE 9 maintain they didn’t kill Officer James Ramp. They claim he was hit by police crossfire. Forensic evidence has never definitively proven who fired the fatal shot.
Six have been released after serving 40+ years. Two died in prison. One—Edward Goodman Africa, now 72 years old—remains incarcerated after 47 years.
This is their story.
August 8, 1978: What Happened
The Confrontation
Location: 309 North 33rd Street, Powelton Village, Philadelphia
Date: August 8, 1978
Time: Confrontation began mid-morning, shooting occurred around 5:00 PM
Why Police Were There:
- Warrants for code violations, weapons charges, parole violations
- Neighborhood complaints about noise, sanitation, confrontational behavior
- MOVE had fortified their house; refused to comply with city orders
The Standoff:
- Police surrounded MOVE house early morning
- MOVE refused to surrender
- Negotiations attempted but broke down
- Standoff lasted all day
The Violence:
- Approximately 5:00 PM: Gunfire erupted
- Shooting lasted several minutes
- Officer James Ramp shot in back of neck; died at scene
- Multiple officers wounded
- MOVE members injured
- Key Dispute: Who fired the shot that killed Officer Ramp?
The Critical Question: Who Killed Officer Ramp?
Police Version:
- MOVE members fired on police from house
- Officer Ramp killed by MOVE gunfire
- All MOVE members equally responsible under conspiracy theory
MOVE Version:
- Police fired on MOVE first (disputed)
- Officer Ramp was behind police lines when shot
- Bullet entered back of his neck from above
- Trajectory suggests he was hit by police crossfire, not MOVE fire from house
- MOVE maintains they were defending themselves against police assault
Forensic Evidence:
- Officer Ramp shot in back of neck
- Bullet trajectory: downward angle from above/behind
- This trajectory is inconsistent with shot from MOVE house (which was in front/below Ramp’s position)
- No definitive ballistics match to specific weapon
- Critical fact: Evidence never proved beyond doubt which side fired fatal shot
What the Trial Showed:
- All nine MOVE members tried together (unusual legal procedure)
- All convicted under “conspiracy” theory – i.e., even if they didn’t personally fire fatal shot, they were part of group that created violent confrontation
- Defense argued police crossfire; prosecution argued irrelevant because MOVE created the situation
- Jury convicted all nine of third-degree murder
Why This Matters
Third-degree murder in Pennsylvania is defined as killing “with malice” but without premeditation. Typical sentences: 20-40 years, often with parole after 20.
The MOVE 9 got 30-100 years each. All spent 40+ years in prison. That’s not a sentence—that’s burial.