The state Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a unanimous ruling saying the former Black Panther and radio reporter waited too long to file a post-conviction appeal in the matter.
Abu-Jamal is on Pennsylvania's death row for shooting to death Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981.
His case has attracted international notoriety. A separate appeal in the case, regarding claims of racial bias and faulty jury instructions, is pending before the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.