New Penalty Hearing Sought For Former Black Panther
"Philadelphia, PA — A federal appeals court on Thursday said former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal cannot be executed for murdering a Philadelphia police officer without a new penalty hearing.
"The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Abu-Jamal's conviction, but said he should get a new sentencing hearing because of flawed jury instructions. If prosecutors don't want to give him a new death penalty hearing, Abu-Jamal would be sentenced automatically to life in prison. Prosecutors are weighing their options, Assistant District Attorney Hugh Burns Jr. said Thursday.
"Abu-Jamal's lead attorney, Robert R. Bryan, said he was glad the court did not uphold the death sentence, and said he wants a new trial. 'I've never seen a case as permeated and riddled with racism as this one,' Bryan said Thursday. 'I want a new trial and I want him free. His conviction was a travesty of justice.'
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