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Developments in the Mumia Abu-Jamal case

December 9, 1981 -- Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner is slain after pulling over former Black Panther and radio reporter Abu-Jamal's brother, who was driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

1982 -- Abu-Jamal goes on trial. According to testimony, Abu-Jamal happened to be in his taxicab across the street, saw the officer scuffling with his brother and began running toward the scene. Police found Abu-Jamal wounded by a round from Faulkner's gun. Faulkner, shot several times, was dead. A .38-caliber revolver registered to Abu-Jamal was found at the scene with five spent shell casings. Abu-Jamal is convicted and sentenced to death.

1989 -- Appeals reach the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which affirms conviction and sentence.

1995 -- Abu-Jamal seeks retrial, saying new evidence has been uncovered. Judge denies request. Abu-Jamal's book, "Live From Death Row," describes prison life and argues the justice system is racist and ruled by political expediency. His jailhouse writings attract supporters around the world, and his effort to win a new trial becomes a rallying point for death penalty opponents.

1998 -- Appeals again reach the state Supreme Court, which upholds the denial of new trial request.

April 24, 1999 -- Crowd unofficially estimated at up to 10,000 people gathers to show support for Abu-Jamal on his 45th birthday and call for a new trial.

April 27, 1999 -- Widow of former French President Francois Mitterrand says after meeting with Abu-Jamal that she is convinced of his innocence.

August 18, 1999 -- Fraternal Order of Police calls for a nationwide boycott of businesses and individuals supporting Abu-Jamal.

October 4, 1999 -- U.S. Supreme Court, without comment, declines to review Abu-Jamal's appeal. His attorneys say they will appeal to U.S. District Court.

2000 -- Amnesty International calls for new trial. Some 6,000 people cram Madison Square Garden in Manhattan to show their support for Abu-Jamal, while off-duty New York police officers hold counter rally.

2001 -- Abu-Jamal fires his longtime defense team after one of them publishes a book about the case. The new defense team releases a videotape of a man, Arnold Beverly, who confesses to the shooting. Federal judge refuses to order Beverly to testify and a state judge denies another defense request for a new trial.

December 18, 2001 -- Federal judge throws out death sentence, citing problems with the jury charge and verdict form. The judge upholds the conviction.