Court Reviews Mumia Abu-Jamal Death Sentence
nt Share 24PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia heard arguments Tuesday over jury instructions given during convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal’s 1982 trial.
Abu-Jamal’s lawyer, Widener University law professor Judy Ritter, argued awkward wording on the verdict sheet may have confused jurors about mitigating circumstances that might favor a life sentence, rather than the death penalty.
‘”This court already agreed with that. It seems to me they don’t see any reason to change their minds,” Ritter said.
The same appeals court granted Abu-Jamal a new sentencing hearing in 2008, but earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court ordered the three judge panel to reconsider. They did, for about an hour’s worth of oral arguments.
Ritter says if Abu-Jamal prevails with the 3rd Circuit, there would be a new sentencing hearing.
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