Options
Why won't the FBI release Peltier files?
Byrnzie
Posts: 21,037
("First published in Socialist Worker")
By Joe Allen
LEONARD PELTIER, one of America's longest serving political prisoners, will
turn 62 years old September 12. He has spent 30 years of his life behind
bars for a crime he didn't commit-in one of the most infamous cases of
political persecution in modern U.S. history.
On September 8, Peltier's lawyer Barry Bachrach will argue in federal court
for the full release of all files maintained by the FBI's Minneapolis office
relating to Peltier.
Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the
1970s. He was framed for the murder of two FBI agents on the Lakota Sioux
Pine Ridge reservation in June 1975.
AIM was a major focus of the FBI's notorious Counter Intelligence Program
(COINTELPRO) of the 1960s and '70s, which attempted to "neutralize" the
leadership of civil rights and revolutionary political organizations.
Two other AIM members, Bob Robideau and Dino Butler, were also indicted with
Peltier, but were found not guilty after a federal trial in July 1976.
Peltier, who had fled to Canada to avoid prosecution, was later extradited
to the U.S. and stood trial separately-he was found guilty of murder and
sentenced to life in prison.
Peltier's extradition from Canada and trial in the U.S. was rife with
coerced testimony, manufactured evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Lynn
Crooks, one of Leonard's prosecutors, admitted in 1985, "We can't prove who
shot those agents." Yet Peltier remains in prison because of the
determined-even fanatical-efforts of the FBI.
So far, the FBI has released, partially or fully, 66,594 out of 77,149 pages
related to Peltier's case. The other 10,555 pages were withheld from
Peltier's defense team and could potentially provide crucial information in
the campaign to free him.
The FBI has refused to release the additional pages on the grounds of
"national security." Why a 61-year-old grandfather who has been behind bars
for three decades and is plagued by chronic illness is a threat to national
security has not been fully explained.
A look at the Minneapolis FBI's Web site gives an idea of the agency's
strange view of the world-many times more space is devoted to Peltier and
AIM than to Osama bin Laden.
In the waning days of the Clinton administration, when an effort was made to
secure a presidential pardon for Peltier, hundreds of FBI agents responded
by picketing the White House. Clinton backed away from a pardon. Since
September 11, federal prison authorities have refused media access to
Peltier. He has been unable to give an interview to the media in over five
years. Only his legal counsel and a small number of supporters and family
members can meet with him.
The FBI's latest actions are symbolic of its 30-year persecution of Peltier
and his supporters-and are perpetuating a terrible injustice.
Note: Article by Joe Allen and "first published in Socialist Worker"
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
By Joe Allen
LEONARD PELTIER, one of America's longest serving political prisoners, will
turn 62 years old September 12. He has spent 30 years of his life behind
bars for a crime he didn't commit-in one of the most infamous cases of
political persecution in modern U.S. history.
On September 8, Peltier's lawyer Barry Bachrach will argue in federal court
for the full release of all files maintained by the FBI's Minneapolis office
relating to Peltier.
Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the
1970s. He was framed for the murder of two FBI agents on the Lakota Sioux
Pine Ridge reservation in June 1975.
AIM was a major focus of the FBI's notorious Counter Intelligence Program
(COINTELPRO) of the 1960s and '70s, which attempted to "neutralize" the
leadership of civil rights and revolutionary political organizations.
Two other AIM members, Bob Robideau and Dino Butler, were also indicted with
Peltier, but were found not guilty after a federal trial in July 1976.
Peltier, who had fled to Canada to avoid prosecution, was later extradited
to the U.S. and stood trial separately-he was found guilty of murder and
sentenced to life in prison.
Peltier's extradition from Canada and trial in the U.S. was rife with
coerced testimony, manufactured evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Lynn
Crooks, one of Leonard's prosecutors, admitted in 1985, "We can't prove who
shot those agents." Yet Peltier remains in prison because of the
determined-even fanatical-efforts of the FBI.
So far, the FBI has released, partially or fully, 66,594 out of 77,149 pages
related to Peltier's case. The other 10,555 pages were withheld from
Peltier's defense team and could potentially provide crucial information in
the campaign to free him.
The FBI has refused to release the additional pages on the grounds of
"national security." Why a 61-year-old grandfather who has been behind bars
for three decades and is plagued by chronic illness is a threat to national
security has not been fully explained.
A look at the Minneapolis FBI's Web site gives an idea of the agency's
strange view of the world-many times more space is devoted to Peltier and
AIM than to Osama bin Laden.
In the waning days of the Clinton administration, when an effort was made to
secure a presidential pardon for Peltier, hundreds of FBI agents responded
by picketing the White House. Clinton backed away from a pardon. Since
September 11, federal prison authorities have refused media access to
Peltier. He has been unable to give an interview to the media in over five
years. Only his legal counsel and a small number of supporters and family
members can meet with him.
The FBI's latest actions are symbolic of its 30-year persecution of Peltier
and his supporters-and are perpetuating a terrible injustice.
Note: Article by Joe Allen and "first published in Socialist Worker"
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
It goes deeper than that. If the government release him and the public are made fully aware of the litany of abuse and corruption involved in this case then it would open up a big can of worms.
If you're interested you should read a book by Peter Matthiesson entitled 'In the spirit of Crazy horse'. It's one of the best books I've ever read, and possibly the best non-fiction book I've ever read.
I admit that I am not super well-versed in this case ... What does the evidence about Peltier really suggest? What is the likelihood that he did kill someone?
Somebody else has already admitted carrying out the actual shooting of the two agents although he refuses to come forward. He's allowed himself to be interviewed wearing a balaclava by, among others, Oliver Stone. Nevertheless, the actual trial and subsequent conviction of Peltier was so full of errors, fabrications, intimidation of witnesses, holding back of vital evidence, tampering with evidence, e.t.c that the details of the trial alone would cause outrage in America if it was to become widely known. Perhaps this is why Peltier is still behind bars. His conviction was a mockery of justice.
http://www.freepeltier.org/story.htm
http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
So, in part, this guy is the one keeping Peltier in prison, along with the justice system?
That is kind of an odd view IMO.
If I was falsely accused of being a mass murder through manufactured evidence, I hate to think I'd be obligated to 'keep the cell warm' until the real person who did it turned himself in.
I was more passing judgment on the asshole who actually confessed to the crimes, but is choosing to let Peltier sit there and do his time.
I agree. If the story is accurate, I just hope they let him out one way or another. Sucks though that the majority of his life is already gone.
... but sure, I'll accept that he saw this whole alleged frame-up coming his way causing him to flee. Still, that one fact sticks. He fled.
it's been ages since i read anything on this...but didn't some of the agents commit perjury in their testimony?
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way