Obama Withdraws Nomination of Lawyer Who Defended Mumia

Had been blocked by Senate Republicans for key civil rights post

President Obama withdrew his controversial nominee to a key civil rights post Monday, after the Senate blocked the nomination earlier this year.

Debo Adegbile will instead become a partner at the Washington law firm of Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr, the firm announced.

Adegbile's nomination for assistant attorney general was blocked by Senate Republicans in March because of the role he played in the defense of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. The vote was 47-52.