PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It is one of the highest profile cases ever heard in the city of Philadelphia as Mumia Abu-Jamal had a court hearing Monday in hopes to overturn appeals that were previously denied.
Abu-Jamal is serving a life sentence for the murder of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner.
READ MORE: Despite Uncertain Track, Crews In Tri-State Region Prepping Roads For Nor'easterDemonstrators have been outside the Criminal Justice Center and inside the courtroom all morning as the hearing has wrapped up.
The hearing is a new post-conviction relief act petition, which is essentially an indirect appeal of his 1982 murder conviction. All of Abu-Jamal’s appeals have been exhausted.
Demonstrators are hoping the hearing will result in a court overturning all of that state Supreme Court decisions from 1995 through 2008.
“This is the first time that one of his appeals his actually being heard in a proper sense,” said demonstrator Zayid Muhammad.
READ MORE: Program To Help Remove Snow For Seniors, People With Disabilities In Camden County ReturnsThe post-conviction relief act petition cites bias and conflict of interest.
The judge who denied Abu-Jamal’s appeals was the senior assistant district attorney during his trial.
Demonstrators are hoping the court rules in Abu-Jamal’s favor so his case could eventually be retried.
“Our long term goal is for him to be released and brought back to his family,” said one demonstrator.
MORE NEWS: Taste With Tori: How Trip To Budapest Inspired Chris LaBonge To Bring Trolley Barn Public Market To QuakertownAfter hearing arguments from both sides, a judge said he will give his decision at a later unscheduled time.
