United States Appeals Court Grants New Sentencing Hearing For Mumia Abu-Jamal In The 1981 Murder Of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner

US Court Grants New Sentencing For Mumia Abu-Jamal

April 26, 2011 11:55 AM

Mumia Abu-Jamal

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A federal appeals court in Philadelphia today reaffirmed its earlier ruling that convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal should get a new sentencing hearing.

The ruling does not affect Abu-Jamal’s conviction for killing officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981 — that still stands.

But the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is upholding its earlier decision that the death penalty instructions to the jury at his trial were unclear, and that Abu-Jamal should be granted a new sentencing hearing. The US Supreme Court ordered the Third Circuit last year to review that decision.

The three judges heard new arguments, and they’ve decided to uphold their earlier ruling. In a statement, Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams says his office is reviewing the Third Circuit ruling, and considering whether to appeal it back to the US Supreme Court.

“We continue to maintain that granting this new sentencing hearing is contrary to clearly established precedent of the United States Supreme Court, and we are now considering whether to seek further review of today’s decision in the Supreme Court.”

No comment yet from Abu-Jamal’s appeals attorney. In the meantime, Abu-Jamal remains on death row.

Still, a legal victory for Abu-Jamal, 58, who has been an international cause celebre for anti-death penalty activists.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060

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US Court Grants New Sentencing For Mumia Abu Jamal

Annemarie Gallagher

Kill him stop wasting our tax payers money on him. It all abiout black and white issues.
Donna

READ THE CASE RECORDS – THEY’RE AVAILABLE TO ALL OF THE PUBLIC. THEN AND ONLY THEN SHOULD YOU VOICE YOUR OPINION. CLEARLY YOU DON’T KNOW THE FACTS! THIS ANIMAL WAS SENTENCED LONG AGO – BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS – THAT HE WAS PART OF PICKING – FAMILY & FRIENDS OF OFFICER FAULKNER – MAY HE BE RESTING IN PEACE – SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THIS ANY LONGER. NOT TO MENTION THIS ANIMAL USING UP MY TAX DOLLARS!
Not A Chance

So because, as you say, cops are no better than anyone else, people should be able to kill them with impunity?

Thanks for such thoughtful input.
Stevo

I posted a reply a short time ago and noted that it displayed with the heading “Awaiting Moderation.” Now it is not found. I am puzzled? Is their a rejection process at work here? My comment was not profane or otherwise. I am puzzled?

sheriff

Stevo,
You got bumped buddy boy for being naughty. Welcome to the club.

Tom

This Killer should have been toast years ago!
al b

People really don’t understand back in the day when the Black Panther’s were around that the FBI and other law enforcements agencies were accusing and setting up bogus crimes against the Panther movement. We don’t know if this man killed the cop. It might have been a set up. But I guess since he is a black man in society that he is guilty no matter what.

Lou Toth

Oh!? He’s Black? Then he must be innocent.
Not A Chance

Many eyewitnesses, his gun, he was wearing a holster, and the bullets in Faulkner’s body came from his gun. Multiple people heard him admit it. It’s called evidence, not a set up, and he’d be guilty if he was black, white, purple, brown or yellow.

Mumia made this about race from the outset, probably why he pulled the trigger in the first place. You should feel bad for taking the side of a guilty man and perpetuating a clear falsehood.

Phil Wilayto

Interesting that the medical examiner on the case first reported that the bullet that killed Officer Faulkner came from a different caliber gun than the one that Mumia, a cab driver, had a license to carry. That report was later changed. Or that the officer with Mumia in the emergency room the night of the shooting noted in his report that “The Negro male made no comment.” Then months later “remembered” that Mumia had shouted that he had killed the officer. Or that at least one of the “witnesses” called by the prosecution later recanted her testimony, saying she had been pressured by the police. Or that other witnesses who said a different individual shot the officer were not called by the prosectuion. Mumia doesn’t need a new sentencing hearing, not even a new trial. He needs his freedom.

amr

Read the transcripts – he has been found guilty of the murder of Officer Daniel Faulkner. It is clear from the trial transcripts and numerous appeals that he is guilty. This latest nonsense is about the sentence.

Carolyn

OMG…If the Circuit Court of Appeals doesn’t see his point of view, are they going to summon HOLLYWOOD to protest in his favor again, like that was going to make a difference!!! Mumia is a cold blooded MURDERER, no matter what the jury understood then or even now!!!
JM

Catherine, I’m not sure what you mean by stating that, “ppl have done less time for a more serious crime!”? Please let me know what is more serious than murdering another person. Please also note that he was found guilty and the only issue is whether to give him death or not for the crime of murder. Did I mention that he killed a cop! I would venture to guess that’s not the only person he’s killed.
KYW IS CENSORING MY THOUGHTS

ON THIS STORY……………………. LET ME PULL THE SWITCH AND SAVE THE TAX
PAYERS A LOT OF MONEY

Marianne Basile McCann

OMG .. I will help you…

Catherine Marie Battle

The man has been in jailfor 29 years!he has served his time no matter what even if he may be guilty ppl have done less time for a more serious crime!Let him go!!!

Not A Chance

Would you say the same thing if it was your husband, father or brother who was murdered?

You kill a cop, you get the death penalty. This “man” has taken free room and board for three decades because he’s an admitted murderer. I hope he’s spent every day in mortal fear wondering how long he has left to live. Hopefully not too long.
ShutUpAndSitDown

Catherine, he was sentenced to death. He hasn’t died yet, and the guilty verdict was not vacated. He’s going to get a new sentencing hearing to determine if he will still be executed. The chances are very good they opt for the death penalty again.

Would you like to serve out the remainder of his sentence for him? Or perhaps you’d like to take the place of his victim?
C. DeClerico

Hey Lady! Danny Faulkner’s been DEAD for longer, he doesn’t get a reprive, take that to the 3rd CIRCUS of appeal
angry tax payer

You are an idiot!!! Do you even know what this case is about? Again you are an idiot! He is a cold blooded cop killer!!! I want to know what you think is more serious than killing another person?! He’s a cop killer! Stop wasting the tax payers money and let him pay his debt to society like anyone else would have to do.