Today, U.S. District Judge William Yohn overturned the death sentence of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Jamal was convicted 20 years ago of killing a Philadelphia police officer. The specifics of the case have come under fire in recent years from civil rights activists. While Abu-Jamal's request for a new trial has been denied, the state will conduct a new sentencing hearing (if the hearing does not take place, the court will defaulty sentence Abu-Jamal to life imprisonment). Abu-Jamal's case has been a frequent topic in the lyrics of left-leaning political bands such as Anti-Flag and Rage Against The Machine. Bands such as the Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Bad Religion have all performed benefit concerts in the past. Abu-Jamal has released several voice recordings on Jello Biafra's Alternative-Tentacles records.