Leonard Peltier Denied Parole: Calls for President Biden to Grant Clemency Amidst Age and Fairness Concerns

Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, South Dakota United States of America
Age and fairness concerns prompt calls for clemency from Amnesty International, members of Congress, and Senators Bernie Sanders and Brian Schatz
Convicted for 1975 killings of two FBI agents
Leonard Peltier denied parole
Next parole hearing in June 2026
Suffers chronic health issues including diabetes and aortic aneurysm
Leonard Peltier Denied Parole: Calls for President Biden to Grant Clemency Amidst Age and Fairness Concerns

In a recent turn of events, Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous activist who has spent most of his life in prison for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents in South Dakota, has been denied parole. The U.S. Parole Commission announced the decision on July 2nd and stated that he will not be eligible for another parole hearing until June 2026.

Peltier, who maintains his innocence in the shootout deaths of agents Ronald A. Williams and Jack R. Coler, has been supported by various groups including Amnesty International which considers his continued imprisonment a ‘human rights tragedy.’ The FBI Agents Association strongly opposes his release.

During his time in prison, Peltier has suffered chronic health issues including diabetes and an aortic aneurysm. He is currently 79 years old and requires a walker to move, is blind in one eye, and suffered mistreatment while in federal prison.

Amidst this development, Amnesty International called on President Joe Biden to grant clemency to Peltier due to his age and ongoing concerns about the fairness of his trial and incarceration. Dozens of members of Congress, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Senate’s Indian Affairs Committee chairman, Sen. Brian Schatz, have also urged Biden to release Peltier.

Peltier was convicted in the 1975 murders of the two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He has maintained his innocence and believes that certain documents would grant him a new trial if released.

In conclusion, Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous activist who has spent nearly 50 years in prison for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents, was denied parole. This decision has sparked calls for President Joe Biden to consider granting clemency to Peltier due to his age and ongoing concerns about the fairness of his trial and incarceration.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • The accuracy of the reported health issues and mistreatment suffered by Leonard Peltier while in federal prison
  • The U.S. Parole Commission's decision-making process and criteria for denying parole to Leonard Peltier

Sources

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier denied parole for 1975 killings of 2 FBI agents

National Public Radio (NPR) Tuesday, 02 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Leonard Peltier was active in the American Indian Movement which began addressing issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans.
    • The American Indian Movement gained national attention with a 71-day standoff at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in 1973 over Native treaty rights and self-determination.
    • Peltier was extradited from Canada and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in 1977.
    • Amnesty International considers Peltier’s continued imprisonment a ‘human rights tragedy.’
  • Accuracy
    • Leonard Peltier is serving life in prison for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.
    • Peltier was convicted in 1977 and his attorney plans to appeal the parole decision.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of appeals to authority. The FBI and its current and former agents are quoted making statements about the heinous nature of Peltier's crime and his lack of remorse. These statements do not provide any logical reasoning or evidence for why Peltier is guilty, but rather rely on the authority of the speakers to make their case.
    • They were down, they were wounded, they were helpless and he shot them point blank.
    • It is a heinous crime.
    • We believe this decision upholds justice for our fallen colleagues and their families.
    • An unremorseful murderer.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier denied parole for 1975 killings of 2 FBI agents

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Dianne Gallagher, Tuesday, 02 July 2024 19:38
  • Unique Points
    • Leonard Peltier maintains his innocence in the shootout deaths of FBI agents Ronald A. Williams and Jack R. Coler.
    • Peltier was extradited from Canada and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in 1977.
  • Accuracy
    • Leonard Peltier was denied parole for the 1975 killings of FBI agents Ronald A. Williams and Jack R. Coler.
    • Peltier maintains his innocence in the shootout deaths of Coler and Williams on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
    • He has been denied parole before, in 2009 and 2017.
    • During his latest parole hearing, Peltier’s failing health, age and nonviolent record during his nearly 50 years in prison were considered.
    • Peltier won’t be eligible for another parole hearing until June 2026.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article reports on the denial of parole for Leonard Peltier, who is serving life sentences for the murders of two FBI agents. The authors report that Peltier maintains his innocence and plans to appeal. They also mention that there was no direct evidence linking him to the crime, but that witnesses testified against him. However, they do not disclose whether these witnesses were reliable or if their testimonies were corroborated by other evidence. This selective reporting could potentially mislead readers into questioning the reliability of Peltier's conviction without providing enough context to make an informed judgment. Additionally, the authors quote FBI Director Christopher Wray stating that 'No amount of prison time will ever change the facts surrounding the murders of FBI Special Agents Coler and Williams.' This statement is a form of editorializing as it implies that Peltier's conviction is based on indisputable facts, which may not be the case.
    • FBI Director Christopher Wray said the bureau is pleased the US Parole Commission ‘continued to side with the facts.’
    • The FBI has categorically denied it fabricated evidence or coerced witnesses.
    • Whoever was down there was essentially down there under the influence of Leonard Peltier. They aren’t down there to give aid and comfort to these two injured, dying men. They’re down there to execute them, and that’s exactly what they did.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains several instances of Appeals to Authority fallacies. The FBI and the FBI Agents Association are quoted making statements about the facts surrounding the murders and Peltier's involvement, but these statements do not provide any new evidence or information beyond what has already been presented in the article. They simply restate their positions as authoritative sources, without providing any logical reasoning or evidence to support their claims.
    • FBI Director Christopher Wray said the bureau is pleased the US Parole Commission “continued to side with the facts.”
    • The FBIAA reaffirms its commitment to honoring the memory of Agents Coler and Williams, and Peltier’s continued incarceration is necessary to ensure public safety and respect for the law.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

81%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier denied parole for 1975 killings of 2 FBI agents serving warrants

The Associated Press News Site (USA) Tuesday, 02 July 2024 15:14
  • Unique Points
    • Leonard Peltier maintains his innocence in the shootout deaths of Coler and Williams on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
    • Peltier has spent nearly 50 years in prison and requires a walker to move, is blind in one eye, and suffered mistreatment while in federal prison.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Leonard Peltier being wrongfully convicted and denied parole. It also includes emotional manipulation through quotes from supporters of Peltier and statements about his importance to Indigenous rights movements. The article does not disclose sources.
    • The way they have treated Leonard is the way they have treated Indigenous people historically throughout this country... That is why Indigenous people and oppressed people everywhere see a little bit of themselves in Leonard Peltier.
    • This decision is a missed opportunity for the United States to finally recognize the misconduct of the FBI and send a message to Indian Country regarding the impacts of the federal government’s actions and policies of the 1970s.
    • The fight for Peltier’s freedom is embroiled in the Indigenous rights movements... Nearly half a century later, his name remains a rallying cry and ‘Free Peltier’ T-shirts are hawked online.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also uses a somewhat dichotomous depiction by presenting the FBI's version of events without questioning their validity. However, the author does not commit any egregious logical fallacies, and there is an attempt at providing balanced reporting.
    • . . . nearly half a century later, his name remains a rallying cry and “Free Peltier” T-shirts are hawked online.
    • The FBI and its current and former agents dispute the claims of innocence.
    • An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota, Peltier was active in the American Indian Movement, which began in the 1960s as a local organization in Minneapolis that grappled with issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans. It quickly became a national force.
    • FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that “justice continues to prevail.” And Natalie Bara, president of the FBI Agents Association, described Peltier in a statement as an “unremorseful murderer.”
    • On June 26, 1975, agents came to Pine Ridge to serve arrest warrants amid battles over Native treaty rights and self-determination. . . After being injured in a shootout, agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were shot in the head at close range, Wray said. Also killed in the shootout was AIM member Joseph Stuntz. The Justice Department concluded that a law enforcement sniper killed Stuntz.
  • Bias (95%)
    The article reports on the denial of parole for Leonard Peltier, who is serving life in prison for the killing of two FBI agents. The author does not express any bias towards Peltier or the FBI. However, there are quotes from individuals and organizations that have taken a stance on his case, some expressing support for him and others condemning him. These quotes do not represent bias on the part of the author as they are simply reporting what was said. However, there is a clear emphasis on Peltier's ongoing fight for freedom and his status as a rallying cry for Indigenous rights movements. This could be seen as implicitly sympathetic towards Peltier, but it does not rise to the level of bias.
    • Although today is a sad day, we are not going to stop fighting.
      • The way they have treated Leonard is the way they have treated Indigenous people historically throughout this country.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      74%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Ailing, 79-year-old Native American activist Leonard Peltier denied parole request

      United Press International (UPI) Tuesday, 02 July 2024 19:38
      • Unique Points
        • Leonard Peltier was denied parole on July 2, 2023.
        • Peltier has been serving two life terms for murder in prison since the 1970s.
        • He is considered a ‘political prisoner’ by groups such as Amnesty International due to concerns about the fairness of his trial.
        • Peltier is currently 79 years old and suffers from chronic health issues including diabetes and an aortic aneurysm.
        • He has spent nearly 50 years in prison and requires a walker to move, is blind in one eye, and suffered mistreatment while in federal prison.
        • Peltier’s lawyer acknowledged that the parole request was ‘probably his last chance’ to be freed.
        • Amnesty International called on President Biden to grant clemency to Peltier due to his age and ongoing concerns about the fairness of his trial and incarceration.
        • Dozens of members of Congress, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Senate’s Indian Affairs Committee chairman, Sen. Brian Schatz, have urged Biden to release Peltier.
        • Peltier was convicted in the 1975 murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
        • He has maintained his innocence and believes that certain documents would grant him a new trial if released.
        • The FBI Agents Association strongly opposes Peltier’s release.
      • Accuracy
        • ]Leonard Peltier was denied parole on July 2, 2023.[
      • Deception (0%)
        The article uses emotional manipulation by describing Leonard Peltier as a 'political prisoner' and 'ailing 79-year-old' multiple times. It also uses selective reporting by only mentioning the groups that support Peltier's release and ignoring those that believe he is guilty. The author also makes no attempt to hide their opinion, using phrases like 'human rights travesty', 'a travesty', and 'timely but necessary measure'.
        • To keep Peltier locked behind bars was called ‘a human rights travesty’, Amnesty International said Tuesday in response to the U.S. Parole Commission’s denial of Peltier’s parole request after a June 10 hearing.
        • An activist for Native American and indigenous peoples in the American Indian Movement still serving two life terms for murder, Peltier, now 79, has been considered a ‘political prisoner’ by groups such Amnesty International since his lockup decades ago.
        • Given the ongoing, unresolved concerns about the fairness of Leonard Peltier’s incarceration, that he has spent nearly 50 years in prison, his age, and ongoing and chronic health issues, granting parole on humanitarian grounds in this case is not only timely but a necessary measure in the interests of both justice and mercy.
        • The last time Peltier was denied presidential immunity was 2009 when former President George W. Bush on his way out of office had refused to grant Peltier a clemency request.
      • Fallacies (80%)
        The article contains several instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. The author repeatedly refers to Leonard Peltier as a 'political prisoner' without providing any evidence or definition for this term. Amnesty International is also referred to as an authority on the matter, but no evidence is provided that they have any special expertise in determining whether someone is a political prisoner or not. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory language such as 'human rights travesty' and 'sad day for Indigenous Peoples and justice everywhere' to describe Peltier's denial of parole. However, no formal logical fallacies were identified in the article.
        • ][Amnesty International] called on U.S. President Joe Biden to grant clemency to the ailing 79-year-old.[/]
        • [[]An activist for Native American and indigenous peoples in the American Indian Movement[[,]] he has been considered a [[political prisoner]] by groups such as Amnesty International since his lockup decades ago.[[](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/07/02/Leonard-Peltier-pardon-Joe-Biden-Amnesty-International/2361719941130/)
      • Bias (95%)
        The article does not demonstrate any clear bias towards a specific political or ideological position. However, it does express a strong opinion that Leonard Peltier is a 'political prisoner' and has been 'imprisoned after a trial riddled with uncertainty about its fairness'. This language can be seen as implying that the author believes Peltier to be innocent and unjustly imprisoned. While this may not necessarily reflect bias on the part of the author, it does demonstrate a strong opinion or perspective that could potentially influence readers. Additionally, there is a clear call to action for President Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier based on his age and health issues. This can be seen as an attempt to elicit an emotional response from readers and potentially influence their opinions on the issue.
        • An activist for Native American and indigenous peoples in the American Indian Movement still serving two life terms for murder, Peltier has been considered a ‘political prisoner’ by groups such as Amnesty International since his lockup decades ago.
          • We are now calling on President Biden, once again, to grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of mercy and justice.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication