Philadelphia, October 28 (RHC)-- In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, lawyers for political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal have asked a judge for a new trial, based on new evidence that casts doubt on his 1982 conviction for the murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner. 

Lawyers for the former Black Panther and journalist said evidence in boxes discovered in the Philadelphia district attorney’s office showed his trial was tainted by racist jury selection, and that one of two key witnesses sent prosecutors requests for “the money owed to me.” 

The judge said she intends to dismiss the request and set a new hearing in December.  Faulkner’s widow, Maureen Faulkner, was at the hearing; she also attended a recent debate between candidates for Pennsylvania’s open senate seat, where Republican Mehmet Oz mentioned her by name.