Leonard Peltier: A Long Road from Prison to Home
Imprisoned Activist Granted Clemency
Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist, has been released from prison after serving almost 50 years in connection with the 1975 ambush shooting that killed two FBI agents on a South Dakota reservation. Peltier’s release sparked both celebration and outrage.
A Controversial Clemency
Peltier’s clemency was granted by former President Joe Biden in one of his last official acts. The decision was met with strong objections from the FBI Agents Association and former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who argued that Peltier remained a "remorseless killer."
Peltier’s supporters, however, celebrated his release, claiming that he had been wrongly incarcerated and was a victim of prosecutorial misconduct. They welcomed him home with a party at a reservation casino.
The Ambush Shootings
On June 26, 1975, FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were investigating a group of armed robbery suspects in the Oglala Sioux Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Peltier was not among the suspects but was traveling in a vehicle that caught the agents’ attention.
Williams and Coler warned over the radio that someone was about to open fire on them. They pleaded for help, but backup was miles away. By the time help arrived, the agents were likely already dead. Responding agents and local police also came under gunfire, finding 125 bullet holes in the agents’ car.
Peltier’s Involvement
Peltier was the only person on the scene found carrying a weapon that could have fired the execution-style shots that killed the agents. He was convicted in 1977 and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the slayings of Coler and Williams. He received an additional seven years for an armed escape attempt.
Repeatedly Denied Parole
Peltier has repeatedly failed in his attempts to overturn his conviction and has been denied parole several times. In 2022, his most recent bid for parole was rejected by a Justice Department panel.
Influential Supporters
Despite the strong opposition from law enforcement, Peltier gained support from prominent Democrats, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, as well as former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
Biden’s Rationale for Clemency
President Biden, in his statement on Peltier’s clemency, cited the activist’s advanced age, illnesses, close ties to the Native American community, and the substantial time he had already spent in prison. Biden emphasized that numerous tribal nations, Nobel Peace laureates, and human rights organizations supported granting Peltier clemency.
FBI’s Outrage
The FBI Agents Association denounced Peltier’s release, stating that the agents he killed were denied the mercy that he had been shown. The association also expressed concern about the precedent the clemency would set for future law enforcement cases.
A Divided Public
Peltier’s release has ignited public debate, with some supporting his clemency and others condemning it. The case highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement, the rights of the accused, and the potential for wrongful convictions.
Unresolved Questions
Despite Peltier’s release, questions remain about the events that led to the deaths of FBI agents Coler and Williams. Some believe that Peltier is responsible for their deaths, while others maintain that he was wrongly convicted. The case continues to be a source of controversy and a reminder of the complexities of justice and the enduring impact of violence.
