Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist wrongfully accused in
1975 in connection with the shooting deaths of two agents of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Government documents show that,
without any evidence at all, the FBI decided from the beginning of its
investigation to 'lock Peltier into the case'.
U.S. prosecutors knowingly presented false statements to a Canadian
court to extradite Mr. Peltier to the U.S. The statements were signed
by a woman who was forced by FBI agents to say she was an eyewitness.
The government has long since admitted that the woman was not present
during the shootings.
Meanwhile, in a separate trial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr. Peltier's
co-defendants were acquitted by reason of self defense. Had Leonard
been tried with his co-defendants, he also would have been acquitted.
Unhappy with the outcome of the Cedar Rapids trial, prosecutors set
the stage for Mr. Peltier's conviction. His trial was moved to an area
known for its anti-Indian sentiment—Fargo, North Dakota. The trial
judge had a reputation for ruling against Indians, and a juror is
known to have made racist comments during Mr. Peltier's trial.
FBI documents prove that the U.S. government went so far as to
manufacture the so-called murder weapon, the most critical evidence in
the prosecution's case. A ballistics test proved, however, that the
gun and shell casings entered into evidence didn't match. The FBI hid
this fact from the jury. Mr. Peltier was convicted and sentenced to
two consecutive life terms. According to court records, the United
States Attorney who prosecuted the case has twice admitted that no one
even knows who fired the fatal shots.
Leonard Peltier is 67 years old and in poor health. An accomplished
author and artist, Mr. Peltier is renowned for his humanitarian
achievements. In 2009, Leonard was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
for the sixth consecutive year.
Although the courts have acknowledged evidence of government
misconduct—including forcing witnesses to lie and hiding ballistics
evidence reflecting his innocence—Mr. Peltier has been denied a new
trial on a legal technicality. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, 55
Members of Congress and others—including a judge who sat as a member
of the court in two of Mr. Peltier’s appeals—have all called for his
immediate release.
The Courts may not be able to act but Barack Obama, as President, can.
Please join with us to free an innocent man. On February 4, 2012, tell
Obama to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier.
The views expressed in this petition are solely those of the petition's sponsor and do not in any way reflect the views of iPetitions. iPetitions is solely a provider of technical services to the petition sponsor and cannot be held liable for any damages or injury or other harm arising from this petition. In the event no adequate sponsor is named, iPetitions will consider the individual account holder with which the petition was created as the lawful sponsor.