The U.S. Supreme Court rejected more than 2,000 pending appeals Monday, including a request to grant a new trial for former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer 27 years ago.
The U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term by rejecting 2,000 appeals.
The court opened its new term Monday with Chief Justice John Roberts leading a brief courtroom ceremony noting, "The October 2008 term is now convened."
Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was among those in attendance.
Abu-Jamal was given the death penalty, and the case has since attracted international attention stemming from allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
A federal appeals court has ordered a new sentencing hearing, so federal prosecutors will have to decide whether to again seek the death penalty or allow Abu-Jamal to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Prosecutors also have the choice of appealing the order for a new sentencing hearing to the Supreme Court. The 53-year-old onetime radio reporter and cab driver has been a divisive figure, with many prominent supporters backing his contention that he was a victim of racism at his trial.
Others have countered that Abu-Jamal is using skin color to escape responsibility for his actions, and say he has divided the community for years with his provocative writing and activism. Abu-Jamal is black, the police officer was white. A jury of 10 whites and two blacks convicted him of capital murder and sentenced him to death.
(source: CNN)
The U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term by rejecting 2,000 appeals.
The court opened its new term Monday with Chief Justice John Roberts leading a brief courtroom ceremony noting, "The October 2008 term is now convened."
Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was among those in attendance.
Abu-Jamal was given the death penalty, and the case has since attracted international attention stemming from allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
A federal appeals court has ordered a new sentencing hearing, so federal prosecutors will have to decide whether to again seek the death penalty or allow Abu-Jamal to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Prosecutors also have the choice of appealing the order for a new sentencing hearing to the Supreme Court. The 53-year-old onetime radio reporter and cab driver has been a divisive figure, with many prominent supporters backing his contention that he was a victim of racism at his trial.
Others have countered that Abu-Jamal is using skin color to escape responsibility for his actions, and say he has divided the community for years with his provocative writing and activism. Abu-Jamal is black, the police officer was white. A jury of 10 whites and two blacks convicted him of capital murder and sentenced him to death.
(source: CNN)
No comments:
Post a Comment