The U.S. Supreme Court let stand on Monday the murder conviction of longtime death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal for killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981, rejecting his appeal arguing that some African-Americans had been unfairly excluded from the jury.
Without comment, the justices declined to review a U.S. appeals court ruling that rejected the bid by the former black political activist seeking a new trial. His case has become a prominent cause for death penalty opponents.
Abu-Jamal, a long time death row inmate, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1982 for murdering white Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in an early morning confrontation on December 9, 1981.
The officer was shot after stopping Abu-Jamal's brother for driving the wrong way down a Philadelphia street. Abu-Jamal, a former radio reporter who was arrested at the scene, has maintained his innocence.
Abu-Jamal's jailhouse writings about the justice system have made him a celebrity around the world. His case has attracted the support of death penalty opponents, foreign political leaders and Hollywood celebrities.
The Supreme Court previously rejected at least three different appeals by Abu-Jamal.
The appeals court also ruled a year ago that Abu-Jamal can be executed only if he gets a new hearing because of flawed jury instructions.
Prosecutors have appealed that part of the ruling to the Supreme Court. But the justices have yet to decide whether they will hear that pending appeal.
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