 On July 22, 2008, Abu-Jamal's formal petition seeking reconsideration of the decision by the full Third Circuit panel of 12 judges was denied.On April 6, 2009, the United States Supreme Court refused to hear Abu-Jamal's appeal, allowing his conviction to stand.On January 19, 2010, the Supreme Court ordered the appeals court to reconsider its decision to rescind the death penalty.