An appeals court has agreed to hear three claims that the trial of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the death-row prisoner who was convicted 23 years ago for the murder of a white police officer in Philiadelphia, was tainted.
The case is a popular cause among death-penalty opponents and social justice advocates, who believe the journalist and former Black Panther was a victim of racism and was set up.
The three claims to be heard are:
1. That prosecutors removed qualified jurors from the case because of their race,
2. That the jury was told its decision would not be final,
3. That the judge in the case was biased against the defendant.