Leonard Peltier should be released in the interest of justice

[G_j]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-leonard-peltier-should-be-released-in-the-interest-of-justice-20170117-story,amp.html?client=safari

Letter: Leonard Peltier should be released in the interest of justice

1/17/17

In response to your Monday editorial “Clemency for Leonard Peltier? Never,” I was the United States attorney who supervised the prosecution of Leonard Peltier during the critical post-trial period. In December 2016, I wrote to President Barack Obama to support his clemency petition “as being in the best interests of justice in considering the totality of all matters involved.”

Although no trial is perfect, Peltier’s was unusually troublesome, particularly when viewed with the benefit of hindsight. The case against Peltier was a moving target, which shifted from a “deliberate ambush” theory in the earlier trial of Peltier’s co-defendants (who were found not guilty) to a “deliberate execution” at Peltier’s subsequent trial before a different judge, and then to an “accomplice” theory on appeal.

As an “aider and abettor,” according to the government’s theory, Peltier was guilty of the murders because he was present, and he had a weapon. It was a very thin case that likely would not be upheld by courts today. It is a gross overstatement to label Peltier a “cold-blooded murderer” on the basis of the minimal proof that survived the appeals in his case.

Following the conclusion of the appeals, Judge Gerald Heaney, an Eighth Circuit judge who sat on two of the appeals, took the extraordinary step of writing to the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs urging it to grant clemency to Peltier in 1991.

Considering all of the surrounding factors, including the prevailing worldview of the time, the FBI’s role in the creation of dangerous conditions on Pine Ridge, the manner in which the case was investigated and prosecuted and the extraordinary length of time already served, in my opinion, Peltier should be released in the interests of justice.

The government has gotten almost 41 years, and 41 pounds of flesh; Peltier is old and sick, and in my opinion, any more time served would be vindictive.

— James Reynolds, former U.S. attorney, Naples, Fla.

[mulsh]

1. I agree but I never expect him to be pardoned by anyone. The government says he killed an FBI agent

they spent a lot of time and effort ramming the case through the courts and subsequently fighting very hard to make sure their records never see the light of day. He's never getting out.

That does not mean we should ever stop petitioning, lobbying and demonstrating for his release.

[G_j]

3. one of the many letters I have sent

to Obama: (calls are good too)

At 65 years of age you are the fifth president I have contacted to plead for clemency for Leonard Pertier.
Without going into the details of the case, after more than 40 years in prison, this man is now old and in poor health. I suspect you must know how much this means to the Native American community. Please do the right thing and help heal these wounds, pardon Leonard Peltier or he will surely die in prison.

Sincerely,

[dembotoz]

2. kick cause it should be

[Mc Mike]

4. I just sent my last letter to Prez O, begging for a pardon for Leonard. rec, nt

[G_j]

5. Thank you. It's the best we can do

The comment line is closed. It's now or never..

[Mc Mike]

6. Thanks for the o.p., G_J.

Leonard is such a good man. Nobody deserves a complete pardon more.

I was glad about Rivera and Manning. But the only reason for Prez O to not issue a pardon is if he has a fear of the uranium industry, or fear that the FBI will stop cooperating with protection for him and his family.

I wrote him before, wrote his AG, wrote the BOP, wrote the Parole Commission, wrote my Senator. The only thing I got back in written form was a statement that the case was under review, from Holder's office in '09.

I told Prez O that he was the closest thing to God in this case, and he could do the right thing with a stroke of his pen.

And there isn't a doubt in my mind that the Feds who would be furious at him for the pardon are already right wingers who can't be trusted to protect Prez O and his family, anyway. I didn't say that in the letter, just wished him the best and thanked him for all his work on behalf of us and the world, but it's true anyway.