USA - Pennsylvania. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected more than 2,000 pending appeals today, including that of Mumia Abu-Jamal

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected more than 2,000 pending appeals today, including a request to grant a new trial for former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer 27 years ago. The court opened its new term with Chief Justice John Roberts leading a brief courtroom ceremony noting, "The October 2008 term is now convened."  A federal appeals court on March 27, 2008 (see) has ordered a new sentencing hearing, so federal prosecutors will have to decide whether to again seek the death penalty or allow Abu-Jamal to spend the rest of his life behind bars. (see also 19/07/2001, 13/09/2001, 21/11/2001, 04/12/2001, 18/12/2001, 21/12/2001, 08/12/2005)