By: Jim Moscou An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for a retrial of a convicted murderer ? and former journalist ? sentenced to death fell on deaf ears Oct. 4.
Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former radio journalist who is serving a life sentence for killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981, hoped to convince the justices he was denied a fair trial. But the court turned away the request without comment.
Abu-Jamal's case has lured top media coverage across the country as well as notable personalities such as actor Ed Asner and the makers of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Supporters have argued that Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther, was framed in the 1981 killing of police officer Daniel Faulkner. State prosecutors said the murder was a cold-blooded killing with Abu-Jamal shooting Faulkner in the face as he lay on the ground.
A jury convicted Abu-Jamal after five hours of deliberation in 1982, and his conviction has been upheld twice by Pennsylvania's highest court.
Abu-Jamal's Supreme Court appeal rose from Pennsylvania state courts. He can still file appeals in federal court, which could bring the case back to the Supreme Court for another hearing.
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