
In 1971 during the height of struggle of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army a police officer died. 35 years later 8 former Panthers have been charged with his death. The charges were thrown out once due to the torture and police brutality of the San Francisco and New Orleans police departments against the defendents. Read updates.
To read the San Francisco 8 Joint Statement, click here.
See this video produced and edited by Eve Goldberg and Claude Marks in November 2002, based on an interview done in August 2000
by John O'Reilly and Nina Dibner.
© 2002 freedomarchives.org
(20 minutes). Video hosted by Innocent In Prison Project International;
thank you, IIPPI.
JUNE 27, 2006: Auburn, NY: To watch the video of the forced DNA extraction of Jalil and to read about his parole denial, click here
For now, SF 8 Judge Philip Moscone halted the transfer of Herman Bell and
Jalil Muntaqim to New York for their parole hearings. By throwing procedural
obstacles at the court, prosecutors were able to delay the transfer arguing
that there were no guarantees under the existent agreement between the
Governors of New York and California to effect a transfer back of both
men for the scheduled preliminary hearing in September.
This vindictive and mean-spirited smoke screen was strongly challenged
by defense attorneys who had previously worked out an agreement with the
prosecutors and which was signed the judge. Strong arguments were made
to guarantee Herman and Jalil's right to "pursue their liberty interests" and
have parole hearings. Both have served over 30 years in prison as model
prisoners. Both were targeted originally by COINTELPRO as members of the
Black Panther Party.
Judge Moscone ruled to stay his original order without prejudice and will consider
signing another order if an amended arrangement can be agreed to by defense
and prosecution attorneys which assures their timely return. Both Herman and
Jalil have signed waivers agreeing to not contest their expeditious return
to California.
New York Attorney Bob Boyle argued in a declaration to the SF Court that if
the men remain in California, "they would be denied their parole hearing for years." In
a subsequent interview, he also said "The state waited 35 years
to bring these spurious criminal charges. Now these charges are being used
to deny these men parole hearings to which they are entitled. Whatever concerns
the government has can be overcome by a simple modification of the extradition
order. All Herman and Jalil are asking for is an opportunity to attend their
hearings."
The prosecutor in the San Francisco 8 case
will ask Judge Moscone to reconsider his order to transfer Herman Bell and
Jalil Muntaqim back to New York for their parole hearings. California State
Attorney Druliner is requesting a reversal of an arrangement that took several
meetings and two court hearings to work out, ultimately resulting in a judicial
order that was filed weeks ago.
In the meantime both men have been preparing for their parole appearances in New York.
The hearing to consider the state's motion to reconsider will be heard on Wednesday, June 18th at 9:30 am at 850 Bryant Street in San Francisco.
Also scheduled for next Wednesday, June 18th and Thursday the 19th will be the first of several conditional examinations of prosecution witnesses who are either old or in poor health. The witness scheduled is Gus Coreris, a former SF homicide inspector and one of the first people at the scene at the Ingleside police station in 1971.
Support the brothers and come to court!
You've probably heard that the judge in the San Francisco 8 case has ordered that Jalil Muntaqim (and Herman Bell) be transported back to NY for parole hearings. Jalil is asking that we write letters supporting his request. Please address the letter to the Parole Commissioners (Re: Parole application of Anthony Jalil Bottom #77A4283) but send to:
Cheryl
Kates, Attorney,
PO Box 711
Honeoye, NY 14471
The more personal and individual your letter is, the better. You can write about visiting or communicating with Jalil, or if you haven't been in direct touch with him, you can write about the articles you've read by him or any other knowledge you have of his activities while in prison. Please say that you are aware of the case for which he is serving his sentence. You can also talk about your own perspective - for example, if you are a teacher, you know how valuable it is that Jalil has counseled young prisoners. Any particular slant you can give to your assertion that he will be an excellent candidate for release can give the letter more force.
To read more on Jalil's parole campaign, click here!