FBI
Leonard Peltier’s most-wanted picture/FBI

In the last hours of his presidency, then-President Joe Biden granted clemency to Leonard Peltier, a Native American man who was convicted of murdering two FBI agents 50 years ago.

In June of 1975, two FBI agents, Ronald Williams and Jack Coler, were shot and killed while investigating a crime on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. After an extended investigation, Peltier was placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for the murder of the agents.

Peltier was later arrested in Canada and extradited back to the United States where he was convicted for murdering both Williams and Coler. He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison.

The FBI’s full summary of the case can be read here.

“Over the last 45 years, no fewer than 22 federal judges have evaluated the evidence and considered Peltier’s legal arguments. Each has reached the same conclusion: Peltier’s claims are meritless, and his convictions and sentence must stand,” said former FBI Director Christopher Wray in a 2024 letter.

Peltier has stated that he did not kill Williams or Coler, and various groups and individuals have lobbied for clemency for Peltier over the years. Those who have supported clemency for Peltier allege that he was railroaded through the justice system and wrongly convicted.

At the end of their respective presidencies, Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all declined to grant clemency to Peltier.

On Jan. 19, 2025 then-President Biden commuted Peltier’s two consecutive life sentences to home confinement.

Special Agent Ronald A. Williams, left, and Special Agent Jack R. Coler (FBI)

The Biden White House explained that President Biden was issuing the commutation so that Peltier “serves the remainder of his sentence in home confinement. He is now 80 years old, suffers from severe health ailments, and has spent the majority of his life (nearly half a century) in prison. This commutation will enable Mr. Peltier to spend his remaining days in home confinement but will not pardon him for his underlying crimes.”

The Biden White House also stated that “Tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials (including the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Mr. Peltier’s prosecution and appeal), dozens of lawmakers, and human rights organizations strongly support granting Mr. Peltier clemency, citing his advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison.”

Left-wing public figures celebrated Biden’s commutation for Peltier. Minnesota Democrats, including Sen. Tina Smith, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, were among those who praised Biden’s decision to commute Peltier’s criminal sentence.

“I am moved and grateful that President Biden commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier,” said Sen. Smith. “This is a measure of justice and mercy for an old man.”

“Thank you, President Biden, for this final act of compassion in office to release Leonard Peltier after nearly 50 years in prison,” said Lt. Gov. Flanagan.

“Wonderful,” said Rep. Omar. “After decades of unjust incarceration, I am glad to see Leonard Peltier finally be granted clemency. This is something I’ve been calling for and I’m thrilled Mr. Peltier will get to return home.”

Alpha News reached out to all three of the aforementioned Minnesota officials, but none of them responded to media inquiries.

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as the new FBI director, slammed Biden’s decision, saying it “is a complete betrayal of law enforcement and everything they sacrifice to protect our communities. Biden has repeatedly failed to support the men and women of law enforcement, and this disgraceful action is the final insult to their service and sacrifice. If confirmed as FBI Director, I will always stand with the brave individuals who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” said Patel.

“Leonard Peltier is the epitome of evil and should have died in prison for his heinous crimes,” added Patel.

The FBI Agents Association also issued a statement, saying it is “outraged by then-President Biden’s decision to commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a convicted cop killer responsible for the brutal murders of FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams.”

“This last-second, disgraceful act by then-President Biden, which does not change Peltier’s guilt but does release him from prison, is cowardly and lacks accountability. It is a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen Agents and is a slap in the face of law enforcement,” added the organization.

 


Luke Sprinkel

Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.





Source link

Subscribe Below To Our Weekly Newsletter of our Latest Videos and Receive a Discount Code For A FREE eBook from our eBook store: