In view of the refusal of the Privy Council, the highest legal tribunal in the British Empire, to hear the appeal from the death sentence of Joseph Mizrachi Urphali, the only Jew under the death sentence in Palestine as a result of the events growing out of last Summer’s riots, counsel for Urphali is preparing a petition to the High Commissioner for a pardon or at least a commutation of the sentence to life imprisonment.
After being sentenced to death by the lower court the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for Urphali when it ruled out evidence presented by the prosecution. At his second trial he was again found guilty and resentenced. When the Arab prisoners found guilty of murder had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment no action was taken regarding Urphali because his appeal was pending before the Privy Council.
Now it is learned that when he was resentenced the court inserted a plea for clemency in its decision. On the basis of this plea Urphali’s council will ask for a pardon or commutation of the sentence.
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