DA Krasner Drops Appeal in Mumia Abu-Jamal Case
Michael D'Onofrio
Tribune Staff Writer
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has abandoned his effort to stop Mumia Abu-Jamal from re-arguing his 1981 conviction for killing a city police officer.
In a turnaround, the city's top prosecutor withdrew his challenge of a December court opinion that granted Abu-Jamal a rehearing of his conviction for the murder of Daniel Faulkner, a Philadelphia police officer.
The decision does not grant Abu-Jamal a new trial. Instead, Abu-Jamal can proceed with a rehearing of his conviction before the state Supreme Court, effectively resetting the appeals process.
Krasner said in an email that his office appealed the case in January because of a technical issue that had the potential to effect hundreds of other settled cases.
The court opinion by Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker has been modified to limit its impact on other cases, Krasner said.
"The result will be that long-settled convictions in other cases will not be disturbed," Krasner said, "and that decisions made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on the legal issues raised decades ago in the Abu-Jamal matter will no longer be tainted by the appearance of bias."
In prison since 1982, Abu-Jamal, born Wesley Cook, has always maintained his innocence.
This is a developing story. Check back to phillytrib.com for updates.
215-893-5782, mdonofrio@phillytrib.com
Tribune Staff Writer
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has abandoned his effort to stop Mumia Abu-Jamal from re-arguing his 1981 conviction for killing a city police officer.
In a turnaround, the city's top prosecutor withdrew his challenge of a December court opinion that granted Abu-Jamal a rehearing of his conviction for the murder of Daniel Faulkner, a Philadelphia police officer.
The decision does not grant Abu-Jamal a new trial. Instead, Abu-Jamal can proceed with a rehearing of his conviction before the state Supreme Court, effectively resetting the appeals process.
Krasner said in an email that his office appealed the case in January because of a technical issue that had the potential to effect hundreds of other settled cases.
The court opinion by Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker has been modified to limit its impact on other cases, Krasner said.
"The result will be that long-settled convictions in other cases will not be disturbed," Krasner said, "and that decisions made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on the legal issues raised decades ago in the Abu-Jamal matter will no longer be tainted by the appearance of bias."
In prison since 1982, Abu-Jamal, born Wesley Cook, has always maintained his innocence.
This is a developing story. Check back to phillytrib.com for updates.
215-893-5782, mdonofrio@phillytrib.com
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