For our first segment, we turn to Philadelphia, and a pivotal court hearing for the imprisoned journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal has spent a quarter-century on death row. He was convicted of killing a police officer following a controversial trial before a predominantly white jury. In 2001, a judge overturned Abu-Mumia's death sentence but upheld his conviction. On Thursday, a three-judge panel heard oral arguments to decide whether Mumia gets a new trial, life in prison without parole, or execution. Hundreds of people packed the courtroom while an even larger crowd rallied in support of Mumia outside. A decision may not come down for months.

We are joined now by Mumia Abu-Jamal's lead attorney. Robert Bryan has represented Mumia since 2003. He is a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and the former Chair of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

* Robert Bryan, Mumia Abu-Jamal's lead attorney. He is a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and the former Chair of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

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http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/18/1429203