| | | http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1718000/1718274.stm
quote:A federal judge in Philadelphia has thrown out the death sentence against former journalist and Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Judge William Yohn ruled that Abu-Jamal was entitled to a new sentencing hearing for the killing of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.
Mr Yohn ruled that the hearing should take place within 180 days, or else Abu-Jamal would automatically be sentenced to life imprisonment instead.
Abu-Jamal is America's most famous death-row inmate - with supporters describing him as a political prisoner and crusader against racial injustice, and opponents dubbing him an unrepentant murderer.
He was convicted of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner during the early hours of 9 December 1981, after the officer pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother at a traffic stop.
[ 18-12-2001: Message edited by: Jack Fear ] |
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