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Supreme Court Won't Hear Mumia's Appeal

Abu-Jamal says was convicted by biased jury in 1981 cop death

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 6, 2009 10:18 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Mumia Abu-Jamal has lost his bid for a new trial in the 1981 killing of a police officer, the AP reports. The Supreme Court said today it won’t take up Abu-Jamal's claims that prosecutors improperly excluded blacks from the jury that convicted him of murdering a Philadelphia policeman. The case has sparked international attention over Abu-Jamal’s claims that he was victimized by a racist justice system.

A US appeals court in Philadelphia upheld Abu-Jamal's conviction, but held his death sentence invalid. That court said it wouldn’t second-guess state court rulings rejecting Abu-Jamal's claims of bias in the composition of the jury. The Supreme Court considered only the conviction. The state has separately asked the court to reinstate the death sentence, but the justices have not acted on that request.

A member of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipe and Drum Band salutes beneath a projection of slain Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in this Dec. 8, 2006 file photo.
A member of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipe and Drum Band salutes beneath a projection of slain Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in this Dec. 8, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
In this July 12, 1995, file photo, Mumia Abu-Jamal leaves a Philadelphia court.
In this July 12, 1995, file photo, Mumia Abu-Jamal leaves a Philadelphia court.   (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Protesters in support of convicted murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal march outside the United States Courthouse in Philadelphia, Thursday, May 17, 2007.
Protesters in support of convicted murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal march outside the United States Courthouse in Philadelphia, Thursday, May 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Robert_Dada
Apr 6, 2009 5:59 AM CDT
I don't stand behind out justice system 100% but everything I've read or heard about this case strongly leads to Mumia being guilty. Yes, it's often good to question the verdicts of our justice system, especially where race is involved. However, one must be careful about which cases to examine.

Background on the Mumia case
CNN

 
race • police • appeal • conviction • bias • US Supreme Court • jury selection • Mumia Abu-Jamal

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