Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has rejected a new trial for the journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. But the decision leaves in place a lower court ruling that grants Abu-Jamal a new sentencing hearing because of flawed jury instructions. If re-sentenced, Abu-Jamal will face either death or life in prison without parole. Abu-Jamal was convicted for the 1981 killing of a white police officer following a controversial trial before a predominantly white jury.