Will President Obama have the power to pardon Leonard Peltier

[Bobbieo]

if Bush fails to do so this year? Peltier's hearing is sometime this month - Maybe it has been held already. Peltier's next hearing will be in 2017.

Leonard was convicted in the death of two FBI Agents in the '70s on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He has served 31 years in prison.

[GarbagemanLB]

1. Was there faulty evidence or something?

[Bobbieo]

2. Yup - There was supposedly faulty evidence but it is a very,very complicated case.

There are tons of people supporting Leonard and, then, there is the FBI. I'm wondering if Leonard is passed over this year, can Obama pardon him before his next hearing in 2017.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Yes, some say that the evidence is fabricated

to convince Peltier.

A LOT of people know this - and he's been in jail for no reason whatsoever. The FBI decided that the evidence used to convince Peltier should be destroyed, and it was, before it got a chance to be reviewed.

31 years is a long time, and I say release him - he's an old man, and can do nothing more.

Hawkeye-X

[NJmaverick]

4. here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Peltier

[RC]

7. The Martyrdom of Leonard Peltier

It's along read, but well worth it.

http://outside.away.com/magazine/0795/7f_leo1.html

[tammywammy]

12. Interesting link, thanks for sharing. n/t

[flvegan]

5. He IS going to be the President, so I'd think yes he will have the power.

But will he have the will.

[Bobbieo]

6. The question I am asking is - Does the president have the power to issue a pardon at any given time

or does he have to wait until a hearing is set and follow procedure? I know the pressure for Obama to pardon Peltier is already in the fomative stages.

I'm with Hawkeye - Peltier has served his time. It is time to free him and let him live the rest of his life in relative peace with his family.

[tammywammy]

8. He can issue a pardon at any time n/t

[flvegan]

11. I think Peltier has served someone else's time.

And yes, Obama can, as president, issue a pardon to anyone at any time.

Peltier, IMO, deserves his freedom and a tidy settlement.

[Clio the Leo]

9. Oh wow, thanks for reminding me of him....

... but, unfortunately, does a President ever pardon someone at a time OTHER than the end of his Presidency? If Bush doesn't do it, will we have to wait another 8 years?

[tammywammy]

10. Yes, even Bush has issued pardons throughout his terms n/t

[Bobbieo]

13. Thank you all for the info. I am pushng on this as I intend to be part of the team urging

President Obama to free Leonard Peltier and be assured that Obama will have the power to do so if he is so inclined.

I don't envy President Obama in this feat as he will be bucking the FBI. President Clinton also had the chance to free Leonard and failed to do so.

[TreasonousBastard]

14. Clinton had no stomach for going up against the FBI at...

the time and, from his history as a prosecutor and Governor, probably had little sympathy for Peltier anyway.

It's gonna be really tough for Obama, or anyone else,to do the right thing with Peltier-- it will rain hellfire on whoever does it, so if it's done at all, I wouldn't be surprised to see it at the end of the last term, whichever that one is.

[Bobbieo]

16. You are right TB! I think it is going to be tougher on Leonard as

he is not a well man with serious complications from diabetes. DAMN!!!

[southerncrone]

15. Hope so & hope he does

[IndianaGreen]

17. The power to pardon is absolute

I don't think a President can take back a pardon that was issued by him or a predecessor.

[burythehatchet]

18. The idea that Obama will champion a liberal cause is

somewhat overly optimistic.

[TexasObserver]

19. Power? Yes. The will to do so? No.

Obama will not pardon him.