U.S. appeals court rejects Peltier's sentence-reduction bid
Friends,
We are writing to you about yet another travesty of justice in the long battle that we have waged for Leonard's freedom from the unjust imprisonment imposed upon him for crimes he did not commit. Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit denied Leonard's appeal to reduce the unjust sentences imposed upon him. In doing so, the court avoided addressing the merits of the case, to which it would have had no answer, and rested its decision on jurisdictional grounds, ruling that Leonard's motion to reduce his unjust sentence was too late.
Though the court acknowledged it had the equitable power to address Leonard's contentions, it disgracefully refused to address the issues -- and yet again upheld the outrageous and dishonest conduct of the government in its handling of Leonard's case and his ultimate conviction for crimes he did not commit. And, now 26 years later, the courts still continue to make excuses for the government's misconduct and callously ignore that an innocent man has spent now nearly half his life in jail because of our government's racist policies against Native Americans.
But now is not the time to despair. We must band together and, as a strong majority, demonstrate that we will no longer tolerate injustice. The time is now to rally for Leonard and all political prisoners in this country.
We must still remember that there is an appeal pending before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals which addresses the Parole Commission's refusal to consider Leonard for parole until 2008. The Parole Commission is utterly wrong in its decision, and the Tenth Circuit will be forced to face the facts and address the injustice Leonard has suffered and the outrageous conduct of the government. We will need your support so that Leonard will get a full and fair hearing at that time.
So, now is not the time for despair.
Rather, now is the time for all of us to rise up as a single voice and scream out to those who continue to oppress Leonard -- as well as all other underrepresented groups: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND WE WILL NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE.
Peace to each and every one of you -- and more than ever to Leonard. And remember, we do need your help as we get ready for the next court appearance. None of us should tolerate any further injustice. Our thanks for your continuing support
Posted on Thu, Dec. 12, 2002
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