A pivotal hearing on case of Abu-Jamal

Abu-Jamal has long been a lightning rod in the debate about capital punishment in America. While law-enforcement officials have despised him for killing one of their own, entertainment figures, academics and anti-death-penalty activists have rallied on his behalf.

From prison, Abu-Jamal has become a prolific writer who speaks out about his view of injustices on a range of issues.

But at his trial, Abu-Jamal came across as angry and arrogant. He insulted the jury and referred to Sabo as "a hangman." And when jurors announced the sentence in a hushed courtroom, Abu-Jamal glared at them.

Center City lawyer Joseph J. McGill, who prosecuted the case, said last week that the Abu-Jamal of 1982 was an angry defendant who tried to mount a 1970s style defense of police persecution. Abu-Jamal was repeatedly removed from the courtroom because of his behavior, McGill said, and the atmosphere was tense.

"It was like a circus, and he wanted to be the ringmaster," McGill said of Abu-Jamal.

McGill said that it will be interesting to see what the Third Circuit decides - and that he plans to be there on Thursday.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said.