A federal judge on Tuesday threw out the death sentence for Mumia Abu-jamal, ruling that the former journalist and Black Panther is entitled to a new sentencing hearing within 180 days for the murder of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981. The judge denied all of Abu-Jamal's other claims and refused his request for a new trial.

Abu-Jamal was convicted of shooting officer Daniel Faulkner on Dec. 9, 1981, after the officer pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother at a traffic stop.