The emergence of new evidence in the case in which an Atlanta area Muslim community leader is suspected of killing a Fulton County Sheriff's deputy is furthering the claims by some Muslims that he is innocent.

Imam Jamil Al Amin is so far the only suspect in the shooting death of Deputy Ricky Kinchen and the wounding of his partner Aldranon English, during a shoot-out in Atlanta's west side March 16.

But according to a sheriff's dispatch tape recorded during the gun battle, a second possible suspect was wounded. In addition to the tape, the wounded deputy has said in reports he shot the assailant as both parties exchanged fire. But when Al Amin was apprehended in Alabama, he was found with no injuries or gunshot wounds.

Witnesses say they saw a wounded man five blocks from the scene begging for a ride just minutes after the shooting, and a 911 call was made by another witness reporting an injured man in the vicinity.

Evidence at the scene also supports the second suspect theory. An Atlanta officer had reportedly discovered blood drops at an abandoned house near the scene.

Police are said to have searched the area for a possible second suspect, but produced no arrests. Al Amin's defense attorneys are reportedly searching for this man.

While the newly surfacing information strengthens Al Amin's innocence plea, it also adds to the confusion surrounding the case altogether.

The rifle and the handgun used in the shooting were found in the woods where Al Amin was arrested. Furthermore, police found Al Amin's black Mercedes in Atlanta; the car they say was used for the getaway.

The most damaging evidence against him is the fact English identified Al Amin as the suspect from a photograph line up after the shooting.

But it is not the facts in this case that have stirred emotion among American Muslims, but rather Al Amin's recent efforts as a Muslim activist.

Beginning in the 1960's, Al-Amin, then known as H. Rap Brown, emerged as one of the best known black activists. Although his activism was credited for inspiring many African Americans during a very consequential period of the U.S civil rights movement, he caught the watchful eye of many law enforcement agencies.

Al Amin was eventually arrested and while in jail, Brown converted to Islam and adopted an Islamic name. In 1994, he wrote, Revolution by the Book, and became a Muslim activist, promoting strong families and joining the war on drugs. Additionally, he has spoken at many Muslim conferences in the U.S and around the world and has generated a tremendous amount of respect.

So it came as no surprise that American Muslims met his arrest on such charges, with shock, dismay and protest. As both defense attorneys and the prosecution struggle to make sense of the newly emerging evidence, American Muslim activists appear to be more determined than before in their support of the Muslim leader. A group dedicated to supporting Al Amin, The International Committee to Support Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin (ICSJAA), has called on Muslims to dedicate the Friday service (Khutbah) on July 29 to the case of Imam Al Amin. The group has also offer to send special spokespersons to the interested mosques to take part in the "The Day of Solidarity with Imam Jamil Al Amin."