High court (Supreme Court) lets (Mumia) Abu-Jamal's conviction stand

Google News (AP) ^ | 4/6/2009 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mumia Abu-Jamal has lost his bid for a new trial in the killing of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.

The Supreme Court said Monday it will not take up Abu-Jamal's claims that prosecutors improperly excluded blacks from the jury that convicted him of murdering Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld Abu-Jamal's conviction but held his death sentence invalid. The appeals court said it would not second-guess state court rulings rejecting Abu-Jamal's claims of bias in the composition of the jury.

The high 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 Philadelphia jury convicted Abu-Jamal, who is black, of killing Faulkner, who was white, in 1981 after the patrolman pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother during an overnight traffic stop.

Prosecutors say Faulkner, 25, managed to shoot Abu-Jamal during the confrontation. A wounded Abu-Jamal, his own gun lying nearby, was still at the scene when police arrived, and authorities considered the evidence against him overwhelming....

[Pyro7480]

We’ll have to see what becomes of his death penalty conviction.

[ScottinVA]

“Is Mumia still alive?”

Sadly and unfortunately, yes.

[mountainbunny]

When can the court be expected to rule on that aspect of the case?

If I read this correctly (please tell me if I'm not), they haven't even decided on whether they plan to take it up or not.

The high court considered only the conviction. The state has separately asked the court to reinstate the death sentence, but the justices haven't acted on that request. Wall Street Journal (^)

At any rate, he's not going anywhere at this point.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

There is only 1 reason why this has cost the government so much money - the perpetrator is a member of a victim class, has a middle-eastern-sounding name, and is supported by leftists, marxists, separatists, and angry racists.

[domenad]

I don't care if the guy fries or not. Having him in a cage is acceptable. I hope he has plenty of nights to wake up, go to the toilet, and have to stare at a steadily aging face while he eliminates the cheap kool-aid he had with his evening meal, all the while wondering what he could have accomplished if he wasn't such a complete douche, a routine that will be repeated and repeated and repeated until he dies.

By the way, how is he doing radio broadcasts? Since when do death row inmates get to do radio broadcasts?

[bassmaner]

Just to pi$$ off his leftist supporters more, call the cop killer by his 'slave name': Wesley Cook.

It gets under their skin just like calling their party 'DemocRAT' without the '-ic'.

[Above My Pay Grade]

>>>Just to pi$$ off his leftist supporters more, call the cop killer by his ‘slave name’: Wesley Cook. <<<

Cook should fry!

[KingofZion]

Sadly cop killers are still being honored within their communities almost 3 decades later (witness 500 turnout for funeral of Oakland cop killers). Disgusting.

Mumia should have been executed long ago.

[Alberta's Child]

I don't think the president has any authority to issue a pardon or a commutation in a case involving criminal charges on the state level. The governor of Pennsylvania has the last word on this one.

This is why presidential pardons typically involve people who are convicted of Federal charges such as tax evasion, drug trafficking, moonshining, etc.

[NorCoGOP]

"Free MUMIA."

Ahhh....

...the Audacity of NOPE

[Kid Shelleen]

**** Philly Metro/Delaware Valley Ping ****

[Fresh Wind]

I admit my bias. I’m biased against cop killers. They should all die.

[hinckley buzzard]

Now he can appeal to Obama to either commute his sentence or for a full pardon.

With any luck he can get a gig giving a commencement address somewhere--Princeton, Brown, whatever.

[hinckley buzzard]

call the cop killer by his 'slave name': Wesley Cook.

OK. Fry Cook!

[uncitizen]

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

[Tribune7]

ping

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Mike Ferrell, Susan Sarandon and Harry Belefonte will give up one hot stone massage and a latte this week in protest.

[Tribune7]

LOLOLOLOL

[AGreatPer]

Fry Mumia ping.