Appeal Filed on Ruling Reversing Death Sentence
Prosecutors are appealing a federal judge’s ruling overturning the death sentence of convicted police killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The brief notice of intent to appeal, filed Thursday, freezes Tuesday’s order from U.S. District Judge William Yohn, who said Abu-Jamal deserves a new sentencing hearing because of errors in the jury instructions given during his 1982 hearing.
In a ruling criticized by both sides, Yohn upheld Abu-Jamal’s conviction, rejecting defense claims that the former Black Panther did not get a fair trial.
Abu-Jamal, 47, was convicted of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner, 25, in 1981.
Lawyers for Abu-Jamal say they will ask a federal appeals court to grant a new trial.
Yohn had ordered the state to conduct a new sentencing hearing within 180 days or sentence Abu-Jamal to life imprisonment, unless an appeal was filed.
Dist. Atty. Lynne Abraham said her office will appeal Yohn’s ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary, calling Abu-Jamal “a remorseless, coldblooded killer.”
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