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December 8, 2011

Prosecutors Drop Death Penalty Case Against Mumia Abu-Jamal 
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Philadelphia prosecutors have announced they will no longer seek the
death penalty for the imprisoned journalist and former Black Panther
Mumia Abu-Jamal. For decades, Abu-Jamal has argued racism by the trial
judge and prosecutors led to his 1982 conviction of killing Philadelphia
police officer Daniel Faulkner. Two years ago, the Third U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals agreed with a lower judge who set aside Abu-Jamal’s
death sentence after finding jurors were given confusing instructions
that encouraged them to choose death rather than a life sentence. The
U.S. Supreme Court then ordered the court to re-examine the decision. In
April, that ruling was upheld, and prosecutors had to determine whether
Abu-Jamal would get a new sentencing hearing in court before a new jury.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia prosecutor Seth Williams said he opted for a
life sentence rather than face more lengthy appeals.



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