Judge Denies Abu-Jamal Petition for New Trial
A judge rejected a plea for a new trial from Mumia Abu-Jamal, the former Black Panther and journalist sentenced to death for killing a police officer in 1981.
Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe said in Philadelphia that she does not have jurisdiction over Abu-Jamal’s petition for a new trial, scuttling his hopes for another round of state court appeals.
Abu-Jamal argued that his former lawyers did a poor job and that he has new evidence that could clear him.
Still pending is his federal appeal in the slaying of Officer Daniel Faulkner, 25, who was killed after he pulled over Abu-Jamal’s brother in a traffic stop.
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