Leonard Peltier facing parole hearing on June 10, 2024
Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist, is set to face a parole hearing on June 10, 2024. The hearing comes after over four decades of imprisonment for his conviction in the killing of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Oglala Nation in South Dakota in 1975. Peltier's supporters argue that his initial conviction was based on questionable evidence and what they call
Leonard Peltier maintains his innocence in the murders of two FBI agents almost half a century ago
His supporters fear he may not get another opportunity to advocate for his release.
Apart from the decades of scrutiny surrounding Peltier’s case investigation and trial, his age (79), nonviolent record in prison, and declining health should be accounted for by the U.S. Parole Commission.
Retired federal prosecutor James Reynolds wrote to President Joe Biden asking him to commute Peltier’s sentence because it would ‘serve the best interests of justice and the best interests of our country’.
Accuracy
Leonard Peltier maintains his innocence in the murders of two FBI agents.
FBI Director Christopher Wray opposes Peltier’s parole application.
Peltier was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.
Leonard Peltier approached the wounded agents with a rifle and shot each man in the head at point-blank range after gunfire erupted during a shootout.
Leonard Peltier is serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders plus seven years for an attempted escape.
FBI special agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler were killed on June 26, 1975, in South Dakota while looking for a group of armed robbery suspects.
Leonard Peltier's supporters argue that his initial conviction was based on shoddy evidence and ‘prosecutorial misconduct’, but he failed to have it overturned after numerous appeals.
FBI Director Christopher Wray opposes Peltier’s parole application, stating that Peltier intentionally murdered the agents and has never expressed remorse for his actions.
A group of senators including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Mazie Hirono asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to grant Peltier a ‘compassionate release’ in March 2023.
Peltier continued to embrace violence against law enforcement even after his conviction, taking part in a prison break from Lompoc Penitentiary in California during which the escapees fired at prison guards and had seven years added to his sentence.
Accuracy
Leonard Peltier is due for a parole hearing on Monday for the execution of FBI agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler in 1975.
FBI special agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler were killed on June 26, 1975, in South Dakota while looking for a group of armed robbery suspects.
Peltier approached the wounded agents with a rifle and shot each man in the head at point-blank range after gunfire erupted during a shootout.
FBI Director Christopher Wray opposes Peltier’s parole application, stating that Peltier intentionally murdered the agents and has never expressed remorse for his actions.
A group of senators including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Mazie Hirono asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to grant Peltier a ‘compassionate release’ in March 2023.
Peltier continued to embrace violence against law enforcement even after his conviction, taking part in a prison break from Lompoc Penitentiary in California during which the escapees fired at prison guards and had seven years added to his sentence.
Deception
(10%)
The article makes selective use of information by only reporting details that support the author's position and omitting important context. For example, the article states that 'Four men were arrested in their deaths, but only Peltier was convicted.' However, it fails to mention that two other men, Robert Robideau and Darrelle Butler, were acquitted at trial in 1976. This is a lie by omission. Additionally, the article quotes Natalie Bara stating 'His actions on that day have had lasting consequences for the FBI family, for the two agents’ families.' However, it does not provide any evidence or context to support this claim.
His actions on that day have had lasting consequences for the FBI family, for the two agents’ families.
Four men were arrested in their deaths, but only Peltier was convicted.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting the FBI and its representatives multiple times to support their stance against Leonard Peltier's release. This is a valid fallacy as it relies on the credibility of the source rather than providing evidence or logical reasoning for their own position.
Speaking on her own behalf, and not for the FBI, she said he deserves to remain behind bars.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that ... Peltier was convicted of the brutal murder of FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams at South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975. We must never forget or put aside that Peltier intentionally murdered these two young men and has never expressed remorse for his ruthless actions.
A group of senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Mazie Hirono, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland in March asking him to grant Peltier a ‘compassionate release.’
FBI agents hold a banner and photos of Jack Coler and Ronald Williams in front of the White House during a rally against clemency for Leonard Peltier Dec. 15, 2000.
Peltier’s last parole hearing ended in a rejection in 2009. Although his supporters have the backing of some prominent Democrats, including President Biden’s secretary of the interior, Deb Haaland, former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama both denied requests for clemency.
Bias
(0%)
The author expresses a clear bias against Leonard Peltier by repeatedly referring to him as a 'murderer' and 'convicted killer', and expressing opposition to his potential release from prison. The author also quotes FBI officials who share the same viewpoint, further emphasizing the bias.
Even after his conviction, Peltier continued to embrace violence against law enforcement, O’Hare added.
FBI agents hold a banner and photos of Jack Coler and Ronald Williams in front of the White House during a rally against clemency for Leonard Peltier Dec. 15, 2000.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that the FBI remains resolute in our opposition to Leonard Peltier’s latest application for parole. Peltier was convicted of the brutal murder of FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams at South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975.
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Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist who executed two wounded FBI agents after a shootout in 1975, is due for what could be his final parole hearing Monday.
Speaking on her own behalf, and not for the FBI, she said he deserves to remain behind bars.
Leonard Peltier is up for a parole hearing on Monday, which may be his last chance at freedom due to his poor health and the long wait for the next hearing.
Leonard Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents in a shoot-out on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1975.
His trial was riddled with misconduct, including hidden evidence, coerced witnesses, and a biased juror.
Prominent human rights leaders and politicians have urged for his release due to the questionable nature of his conviction.
Legal experts with the United Nations Human Rights Council have concluded that his prolonged imprisonment is arbitrary due to his Native American heritage.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(0%)
The author makes several statements that are emotionally manipulative and sensational. She implies that Leonard Peltier is innocent and has been wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 50 years without providing any new evidence to support this claim. The author also uses loaded language such as 'brutal murder' and 'ruthless actions' when describing the crime for which Peltier was convicted, implying that he is more guilty than the facts suggest. Additionally, the author selectively reports information by focusing on those who support Peltier's release and ignoring those who argue against it.
Granting parole for Peltier would only serve to diminish the brutality of his crime and further the suffering of the surviving families of agents Coler and Williams, as well as the larger FBI family.
He had been separated from his co-defendants, all of whom had already been acquitted on grounds of self-defense.
, the U.S. attorney who prosecuted him, know he was never due.
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains several instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies are present. The author cites numerous prominent figures and organizations who have called for Leonard Peltier's release based on the evidence of his unjust conviction. These include senators, members of Congress, human rights leaders such as Pope Francis and Nelson Mandela, and Amnesty International. The author also mentions that legal experts with the United Nations Human Rights Council have issued a damning legal opinion regarding Peltier's prolonged imprisonment. These appeals to authority do not constitute fallacies as they are based on factual information and reputable sources.
]The Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela[
Amnesty International
legal experts with the United Nations Human Rights Council
Bias
(80%)
The author expresses a clear bias towards Leonard Peltier's release from prison based on his belief that Peltier was wrongfully convicted and has been unjustly imprisoned for nearly 50 years. The author also uses language that depicts the FBI as being unwilling to admit their mistakes and wanting Peltier to die in prison.
But his trial was riddled with misconduct, and his prolonged imprisonment has drawn sharp condemnation from prominent human rights leaders, including Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela.
If President Joe Biden grants him clemency, the president could do this unilaterally at any point. So far, he has chosen not to.
The FBI remains resolute in its opposition to Leonard Peltier’s latest application for parole.
Leonard Peltier's parole hearing is scheduled for June 10, 2024.
Kevin Sharp, a former Navy veteran and federal judge, is leading efforts to secure presidential clemency for Leonard Peltier.
Peltier has been in prison for over 47 years after being convicted for the killing of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Oglala Nation.
Peltier is experiencing health issues at the age of 79, including an aortic aneurysm, heart issues, diabetes, and partial blindness from a stroke.
If Peltier is not released, it is feared that he may not survive until the next parole hearing due to his poor health and dangerous living conditions in maximum security.
Public support is important for the parole decision; instructions on how to write to the parole commission will be provided.
Accuracy
Leonard Peltier has been in prison for over 47 years after being convicted for the killing of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Oglala Nation.
Peltier maintains his innocence and expresses remorse for the tragic events of that day.
Amnesty International urged the US Parole Commission to grant Leonard Peltier parole on humanitarian grounds
Leonard Peltier maintains his innocence in the killing of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975
Leonard Peltier is now 79 years old and has deteriorating health issues
Accuracy
Leonard Peltier was convicted and sentenced for the crime in 1977
FBI Director Christopher Wray opposes Peltier’s parole application, stating that Peltier intentionally murdered the agents and has never expressed remorse for his actions.
Peltier continued to embrace violence against law enforcement even after his conviction, taking part in a prison break from Lompoc Penitentiary in California during which the escapees fired at prison guards
