PELTIER: PAROLE HEARING June 10, 2024

Edward Woods

May15, 2024

 

 

Patricia K. Cushwa, Acting Chairperson

U.S. Parole Commission

90 K Street NE, 3^rd floor

Washington DC 20530

 

Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132

       Parole Hearing, June 10, 2024

       U.S.P. Coleman 1, FL

 

Dear Ms. Cushwa:

 

Leonard Peltier and his supporters claim he is a ‘political prisoner.’ This could not be further from the truth. Through decades of folklore and myth Peltier has attempted to change the narrative and alter the truth, however, the facts tell an entirely different story. 

 

Briefly, as you may know, on June 26, 1975 FBI Agents Coler and Williams were searching for a fugitive on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is undisputed that Peltier and other members of the American Indian Movement (AIM), in an unprovoked attack, severely wounded both Agents. Agent Williams’s, waving his shirt that he also used as a tourniquet on his partner’s severely injured arm, attempted to surrender, but was ignored. Peltier, with his AR-15 rifle and two other AIM members, approached the defenseless Agents. Both Agents were shot, point-blank in the face. Agent Coler may have been unconscious and had his jaw destroyed. Agent Williams faced his killer as the muzzle was placed against an upraised hand, blowing his fingers through the back of his head. Leonard Peltier was convicted of murder and aiding and abetting, receiving consecutive life sentences and later an additional seven-consecutive years for an armed escape during which prison guards were shot at.

 

Over the years the Peltier saga has been fraught with an untold number of lies and fabrications. After over two-dozen appeals his conviction has been reviewed in minute detail and has never been altered. 

 

What follows are but a few excerpts from the lengthy appellate history. Nevertheless, to place Peltier’s heinous crime in its very real perspective, this was the crime scene: 

 

“Previous federal court decisions provided the (Parole) Commission with ample facts to support its conviction that Peltier personally shot Agent Coler and Williams.” (10^th Circuit Court of Appeals, 11/4/2003)

 

Peltier’s AR-15 rifle, later recovered in Wichita, Kansas: “When all is said and done, however, a few simple but very important facts remain. The casing introduced into evidence had in fact been extracted from the Wichita AR-15. This point was not disputed…” and, “The trial witnesses unanimously testified that there was only one AR-15 in the compound prior to the murders, that this weapon was used exclusively by Peltier and carried out by Peltier after the murders.” (8^th Circuit Court of Appeals, 9/11/1986)

 

Peltier’s only alibi; the lie of Mr. X: For nearly two decades Peltier claimed he knew who killed the Agents, the phantom Mr. X. In a film (Incident at Oglala) Peltier stated “This story is true.” However, one of his AIM cohorts publicly denied this (Dino Butler, 1995), and as well as a Peltier attorney (Michael Kuzma, 11/3/2012)

 

Peltier has fabricated all manner of conspiracy theories claiming innocence, however, has made public statements demonstrating a total lack of remorse—a critical consideration for granting parole, and his unquestioned guilt:

 

In the context of June 26, 1975 Peltier publicly stated; “I never thought my commitment would mean sacrificing like this, but I was willing to do so nonetheless. And really, if necessary, I’d do it all over again, because it was the right thing to do.” (2/6/2010). “I don’t regret any of this for a minute.” (9/12/2014)

 

In an unrelated trial, sworn testimony revealed Peltier’s description of what happened that fateful day: “He (Peltier) said the (expletive)was begging for his life but I shot him anyway.”

 

And in his autobiography (1999, p.15), he offered this unrepentant and repulsive comment to his victim’s families: “I cannot see how my being here, torn from my own grandchildren, can possibly mend your loss. I swear to you, I am guilty only of being an Indian. That’s why I’m here. Being who I am, being who you are—that’s Aboriginal Sin.”

 

That certainly is not the reason Peltier received consecutive life sentences and an additional seven consecutive years for the armed escape. Although lengthy, the appellate history of Peltier’s conviction is perfectly clear as every spurious claim and allegation made by Peltier has been thoroughly analyzed and refuted. Peltier’s rambling arguments against his conviction and feigned innocence, along with revealing public statements, only reinforce his remorseless guilt.

 

There are those who deserve parole consideration. However, Peltier is not among them.

 

With all due respect I would urge the Commission to not grant Peltier parole. He has not earned it. Although he is elderly, FBI Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams, brutally and senselessly murdered, were robbed of their opportunity to fulfill their own lives. 

 

Sincerely,

Edw. Woods

Edward Woods

Email: USParole.questions@usdoj.gov, USPardon.attorney@usdoj.gov, 

U.S. Attorney General, Hon. Merrick B. Garland, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington DC 20530, (202) 877-8339 

Contact form: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice

PELTIER - 24 YEARS

April 30, 2024 – 24 Years

 

Dear Supporters:

 

April 30^th marks the 24^th Anniversary of the No Parole Peltier Association’s efforts to ensure that Leonard Peltier continues to serve his consecutive life sentences, plus seven consecutive years for an armed escape, in the brutal and senseless murder of two already wounded and defenseless human beings: Two FBI Agents killed in the Line-of-Duty. 

 

The mission of the NPPA, as it has been from the beginning, is to honor the memory and sacrifice of Special Agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams. They will never be forgotten. 

 

Although there was some activity earlier in 2023, https://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com, things have been quiet on the Peltier front since the October 6, 2023 letter from thirty U.S. legislators and three U.S. Senators who are collectively ignorant and uninformed about the facts supporting Peltier’s conviction. They, like Peltier sycophants, and attorney rely on emotion, myth and folklore instead of understanding the facts and Peltier’s appellate history.   https://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2023/10/

 

Peltier is in his fiftieth year of incarceration and the fundamental question is whether he has served enough time for his psychopathic and brutal criminal act. The answer was, and remains, he has not.

 

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

 

A painful reminder of June 26, 1975, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota

 

A recap of 2023:

Another year has passed and the mission of honoring the sacrifice of Special Agents’ Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams, brutally murdered in the Line of Duty, remains as steadfast as ever. That commitment began on April 3, 2000 with a coincidental and casual meeting with Jack Coler’s youngest son, who was but one and a half when his father was murdered. Twenty-seven days later, Peltier’s decades of lies and fabrications were challenged in the public forum. http://www.noparolepeltier.com/pine.html 

Over the past couple of years Peltier’s hopes of a commutation have risen, believing that the current administration and some additional support will overcome the decades of what has been the relatively successful myth founded on a mountain of fabrications and lies.

 

Among more recent supporters is former South Dakota, Unites States Attorney, James H. Reynolds. Reynolds public statements concerning his involvement in the Peltier case, based on the actual record, are simply unsupportable. Reynolds motivation is unclear other than perhaps he actually believes his involvement is provable. See the following NPPA Blogs to completely discredit Reynold’s fabricated claims: 1/5/17, 12/2/17, 1/1/18, 1/26/11, 1/20/22, 2/7/22. 

Peltier’s most recent pro bono attorney, former federal judge, Kevin H. Sharp, is simply repeating tired and discredited claims that have failed all of Peltier’s prior attorneys. Sharp is a shameless propagandist for his unrepentant, double-murder client. See the following NPPA blogs that not only discredit his public claims but exposes his brazen defamation of prior Peltier-related judges and attorneys. Sharp believes he is smarter than the rest but the proof lies elsewhere. NPPA blogs discredit Sharp’s shallow efforts; 1/31/22, 2/22/22, 2/2/22, 8/14/22, 10/7/22, 11/26/22, 3/11/23, 3/24/23, 3/31/23 

FBI AGENT Ronald A. Williams, 1947 – 1975 R.I.P.

Dear Supporters:

 

On July 27^th Ron would be reaching his 76^th birthday and the questions to ask are “What if” and over these past decades, how much was stolen from this dedicated and brave young Agent?

 

Those who personally knew Ron were fortunate to have had that opportunity. By all accounts he was a personable, charming, intelligent and dedicated friend and a consummate professional.

 

To understand just who Ron was, please see this tribute dedicated to both he and his partner, Jack Coler. [i]

 

Ron was single on that fateful June day in 1975 and the promise of a rewarding life and career lay ahead. It is more than likely he would have married and by now enjoying time with grandchildren. There certainly would have been another career after the FBI; Ron had mentioned plans to attend law school and he was also a licensed pilot. But we will never know the rewards and pleasures of a life that was brutally stolen. 

 

We will never forget Ron and his partner Jack Coler’s bravery and sacrifice in the Line of Duty by the violent criminal acts of Federal Inmate # 89637-132 and the other AIM cowards on that fateful day, June 26, 1975.

 

Rest in peace brother and watch over those men and women who place themselves in harm’s way to enforce and uphold the law and protect the citizenry. 

 

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

 

PELTIER UPDATE: 

 

Peltier remains at USP Coleman, Florida, rightfully serving the remainder of his consecutive life sentences, plus seven additional consecutive years. His attorney, Kevin Sharp, lamely parrots the same decades old myth and folklore while claiming to have an understanding of the Peltier trial and many appellate decisions. Those decisions prove and support Peltier’s unquestioned guilt and never altered his conviction or sentence. Examples of Sharp’s misinformation campaign are available from the homepage  www.noparolepeltier.com  and blogs dated,

4/20/23, 3/31/23, 3/24/23. 3/11/23, 11/26/22, 10/7/22, 8/14/22, 4/2/22, 2/21/22, 1/31/22.

 

As faulty as Keven Sharp’s Peltier rhetoric may be, another attorney, former U.S. Attorney, James H. Reynolds, for some unknown and bizarre reason has gone far beyond the truth and facts making unsupportable claims regarding his own alleged involvement in the Peltier matter. Further examples in blogs dated, 1/5/17, 12/2/17, 1/1/18, 6/26/21, 1/20/22. 

---

[i] A production for The Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI by The James Hoyer Law Firm Production Unit:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozhEumzwgKA

Personal notes about Ron Williams:  http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-never-met-ron-williams.html,        http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2016/07/

Line of duty: February 2, 2021

Dear FBI Family, It’s with a very heavy heart that I’m writing to tell you that this morning, Special Agent Daniel Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger of the Miami Division were shot and killed in the line of duty. They were executing a federal court-ordered search warrant in a violent crimes against children investigation in Sunrise, Florida. Three other agents were shot and wounded, two of whom suffered injuries requiring hospital care, but both are now in stable condition. The third injured agent did not require hospitalization. The shooter is deceased. Days like this are among the darkest days we face in the FBI. We’ve lost two of our very own. We’re all heartbroken – particularly our colleagues in Miami who are reeling from this unthinkable loss. All of us across the FBI, in offices and divisions who worked with the special agents, and colleagues who have never had the chance to meet them, are all trying to also come to terms with this tragic loss. And yet, our grief cannot compare to that of the families of these two special agents. Today, they’ve lost the people who meant the very most to them. As many of you have heard me say, it takes an incredibly special person to answer the call and do the heroic work of an FBI special agent.To sacrifice self for service. This morning, Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Schwartzenberger left home to carry out the mission they signed up for – to keep the American people safe. It will take us a long time to process the grief that we all feel for the loss of our own. But we’ll be forever grateful for their commitment and their dedication – for their last full measure of devotion to the people they served and defended. We will always honor their ultimate sacrifice. And we’ll continue to stand by our FBI Family, and the families of these special agents, in the days to come, bringing every resource we can to get through this together. We’ll continue to share more as we’re able to. Chris "In the Spirit... Ed W.

PELTIER: 20 YEARS LATER

Dear Supporters:

 

On Friday, December 15, 2000, approximately 700 FBI Agents and law enforcement from other agencies gathered for a dignified procession to the White House. Ahead of the procession was a banner with photos of Special Agents' Jack Coler and Ronald Williams with the words, NEVER FORGET.

 

And we certainly will not.

 

Peltier justly remains incarcerated serving two consecutive life sentence and an additional seven years for an armed escape. Over two-dozen appeals can attest to that reality.

 

The folklore and myth surrounding Peltier is nothing more than a sham; his many public and written statements confirm that. The self-proclaimed public figure and political prisoner are the foundations of decades of falsehoods and misinformation.

 

Peltier remains a remorseless cold-blooded murderer and nothing can or will alter that fact.

 

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

 

Some of the reasons why Leonard Peltier is the worst:

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2019/03/why-is-peltier-worst_8.html

PELTIER: UP ON THE ROOF

Dear Supporters:

 

No, this doesn’t hearken back to the glory days of Motown and the 1962 hit by the Drifters. 

 

A recent article in the San Francisco News, an online bay area news source, described a large-scale statue of Leonard Peltier sitting, literally, up on the roof of the San Francisco Art Institute. 

 

The twelve-foot high redwood and steel likeness, created by an accomplished artist, is based on Peltier’s self-portrait sitting forlornly and contemplating his forty-four year existence in federal prison (Footnote 1). The article emphasized the significance of Native American challenges but at least did not repeat Peltier’s shallow claims of innocence (Fn. 2). The article mentioned that Peltier has been incarcerated since 1977 (actually since his arrest on February 6, 1976, after fleeing to Canada), but fails to mention his conviction for the brutal murder of two already wounded FBI Agents, nor the initial unprovoked attack on the Agents by Peltier and other American Indian Movement members.

 

The Peltier effigy is deliberately placed to “gaze across the bay to Alcatraz, a pivotal place for the American Indian Movement.” (With no insignificant sense of irony Peltier did not participate in the seminal AIM event, the occupation of Alcatraz in 1969. Peltier also missed the takeover and destruction of the Pine Ridge village of Wounded Knee in 1973. Peltier was in jail at the time. However, he did participate in the “Trail of Broken Treaties” and the ransacking of the Washington, D.C. Bureau of Indian Affairs headquarters in 1972, and of course, the murder of two FBI Agents on June 26, 1975 on the Jumping Bull farm.)

 

Peltier is facing in the wrong direction.

 

Looking almost due North toward Alcatraz, he should instead be turned to the south-southeast facing Lompoc, California, and its federal prison. On July 20, 1979 Peltier was involved in an armed escape where guards were taken under fire. Captured five days later he received an additional seven years added to his consecutive life sentences.

 

According to the article the statue has removable feet that have travelled around the country and supporters have stood on the feet to show solidarity. This may be a metaphor to symbolically walk in Peltier’s shoes as Peltier, undoubtedly, wishes he could walk-back from the carnage at Jumping Bull and that he had taken a different path. One likely path could have been his artistic interests that were frustrated after being turned down for a Santa Fe art school scholarship. He lamented later that “I often wonder what my life would have been like if I’d have just gotten that scholarship” (Prison Writings, p.85). Peltier, perhaps another Rigo 23, would not be in the situation or the subject of discussion he finds himself in today.  

 

The article pointed out that at times the effigy has not been well received as when it was on display at the American University in Washington, D.C. and was “censored and taken down after complaints from the president of the FBI Agent’s Association.” 

 

The FBIAA is an organization dedicated to providing support and advocacy to active and former FBI Agents and challenged American University’s apparent endorsement, using public space, of Peltier’s criminal actions (Fn. 3). Further, that facts regarding Peltier’s conviction were being ignored by the university including, “through well-over a dozen appeals, twice reaching the U.S. Supreme Court, every aspect of Peltier’s trial has been reviewed in minute detail and his conviction and sentence has been upheld in every instance” (Fn. 4). The manner in which Agents’ Coler and Williams were murdered was seen as an affront to law enforcement across the country as the FBIAA sought to continue to honor the sacrifice in the line-of-duty of two of their own.

 

American University thought better of its decision to display the effigy and stated, in part:

 

“With the benefit of a fuller review, we have made a decision to remove the piece from this location.  The subject matter and placement of the piece improperly suggested that American University has assumed an advocacy position of clemency for Mr. Peltier, when no such institutional position has been taken.”

 

            The San Francisco News states in their “Declaration of Principles,” that, “we promise,” “To allow commentary writers the freedom to express their opinions and views without interruption, censorship, or persuasion.”

 

Having pointed that out, this blog will be sent to the San Francisco News in the hope they will permit a response to the article, “Artist Rigo 23 Unveils New Statue In Honor Of Leonard Peltier.”

 

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

 

Footnotes:

1) San Francisco News article: https://www.thesfnews.com/artist-rigo-23-unveils-new-statue-in-honor-of-leonard-peltier/68470

2) Anyone who has even a cursory understanding of the history of the unconscionable treatment of First Americans cannot ignore, or deny, that their treatment by the U.S. Government was tantamount to genocide. Correcting those wrongs: the broken treaties, the banishing to remote Reservations and the cultural dismemberment of a proud Native heritage cannot be ignored. Without question it is a complicated history that even God cannot change. In contrast, however, the events at Pine Ridge on June 26, 1975 by Peltier and others was a purely wanton criminal act.

3) FBIAA press release, December 29, 2016: https://fbiaa.org/fbiaa-press-releases-list/fbi-agents-association-calls-american-university-remove-leonard-peltier

4) Significant legal decisions re the conviction of Leonard Peltier:

http://www.noparolepeltier.com/court.html

A concise history of guilt:

http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#concise

Important reminders re Peltier’s conviction and guilt:

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2018/03/peltier-important-reminders.html

END OF WATCH: FBI AGENT RONALD WILLIAMS

Special Agent Ronald A. Williams, July 30, 1947 – June 26, 1975. Rest in Peace.

 

Dear Ron:

 

Today you would be turning seventy-three.

 

Looking down on everything that is happening around us you must wonder why and how things seem to have become so out of control. A nation horribly divided, lawlessness, rioting and destruction and respect for the rule of law and law-enforcement at a bewildering low point.

 

Those, like you and your partner, Jack Coler, who took an oath to uphold and enforce the laws of this nation, and the brave men and women in Blue who put themselves in harms way every day to protect its citizens are under relentless attack. A festering anarchy, fueled by ignorance, intolerance and disrespect for common decency and civility seems to be growing. All of this fueled from the disruption caused by a worldwide pandemic.*

 

Birthdays are an earthly event as one day to the next we are simply just another year older. 

 

For us who remain, you are ageless. You are still the same vibrant, intelligent, dedicated and handsome young and proud FBI Agent that those who knew you personally still remember. To us, you are still that same wonderful person when your mortal birthdays stopped being counted.

 

Ron, as you can see, you and all the FBI Service Martyrs have not been, and never will be, forgotten. 

 

But for the actions of the cowards of Jumping Bull your productive life was cut short, while those remaining here deal with even the remote possibility of inmate #89637-132’s freedom, you have the omniscience and understanding to know that we will ensure justice prevails.**

 

Ron, I know we do not have to ask, but look after us as we remember you on this day.

 

“In the Spirit…

Ed

* https://www.odmp.org

 http://www.noparolepeltier.com/meet.html

** Recently an ardent Peltier supporter offered the following observation regarding Peltier’s prison artwork and by inference, his character: “I have spent my entire adult life in the art world and I can tell you that I have a clear window into who Leonard Peltier is as a human being.  What is expressed through a work of art cannot be faked.”

Well, yes it can. One would think that Peltier has mastered the art of not being branded as a fake when in fact he has succeeded in disguising who he really is by building a reputation upon a mountain of lies. One fabrication after another, incessantly repeated, has convinced some that he is innocent. All it takes is a little effort to counter the claims through which he has created the myth of innocence and shallow folklore: Folklore that can easily be countered with actual facts. Setting aside for a moment that for years—even admitting as much on film—that someone else, the infamous Mr. X, killed FBI Agents Coler and Williams, there is still so much more to easily dismantle the faux legend.  That lie—Peltier’s only real alibi—was put to rest by one of his own cowardly co-conspirators and even by his former ‘committee’ and one of his own attorneys. But his supporters want to forget this and avoid the obvious conclusion that an innocent person doesn’t have to lie about what actually happened. Just a casual review of his own autobiography, replete with easily disproven fabrications, bolsters the premise that Peltier is indeed faking it.  The window that the supporter is looking through isn’t really glass but perhaps just a mirror. Even recently, in response to a simple question about a significant detail of his own conviction, Peltier lied to the interviewer, and that lie was easily laid bare. 

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2020/07/peltier-new-observations-ballistics.html

(This blog was was scheduled to be posted on July 30th but due to a server issue was published on July 31st.)

PELTIER: THE CARES ACT

Dear Supporters:

Recently the President signed into law the CARES ACT, which among other requirements, provides for the release of elderly federal inmates who have underlying health issues and may be at higher risk for Covid-19. Part of the intent of the law is to limit the potential spread of the Corona Virus among the inmate population and reduce prison populations.

Peltier believes he is a candidate for release and home confinement. According to his “Defense Committee” Peltier has a “reentry plan” to return to the Turtle Mountain Reservation and allegedly has family land where he can live.

The Defense Committee is asking Peltierites to write the Federal Bureau of Prisons Directors to make a case for Peltier’s release and suggested for them to include this in their letters:

“Mr. Peltier is 75 years old and in very poor health: his only desire is to go home to the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and live out the remainder of his years surrounded by his family.”

Time for a reality check:

We all know that Jack and Ron were surrounded by their families: 

That was at their funerals in 1975.

Peltier, like many other aged lifers is experiencing the predictable affects of the aging process that everyone must face in time, but he denied that to Jack Coler and Ron Williams.

Does Peltier meet the requirements for release? The answer is No. 

Peltier is long-in-the tooth, has some health issues but was convicted, (a conviction that was upheld at every level, notwithstanding his incessant fabrications, outrageous claims and tacit admissions of guilt), for the brutal and cold-blooded murder of two already wounded and defenseless human beings. Peltier is deservedly serving consecutive life sentences in addition to the seven consecutive years for his armed escape from Lompoc penitentiary. 

Is Peltier a threat to society at this point? Perhaps not as evidenced by the bloated figure seen at his Lewisburg parole hearing in 2009. Nonetheless, he must continue to serve the remainder of his sentence and not seek special consideration to live out the remainder of his years surrounded by his family. His malicious act deprived Jack and Ron from being able to do the same.

Request of NPPA supporters

Supporters are encouraged to write to U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, BOP Director Michael Carvajal and Regional BOP Director J. A. Keller and express your opinion why Leonard Peltier #89637-132, USP Coleman 1, Coleman, Florida should NOT be considered for release under the CARES ACT.

Any factual references needed can be easily found on the NPPA website: www.noparolepeltier.com

            Hon. William P. Barr

            U.S. Attorney General

            950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

            Washington, D.C. 20530

            Director Michael Carvajal

            Federal Bureau of Prisons

            320 First St., NW

            Washington D.C.
            20534                                                

            Director J.A. Keller

            Federal Bureau of Prisons

            Southeast Region

            3800 Camp CRK PK SW/Bldg 2000    

            Atlanta, GA 30331 

Everyone, please be safe as we face this unprecedented crisis and pray that America comes out on the other side as the strong and prosperous nation it was.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

I NEVER MET RON WILLIAMS

Dear Supporters:

I never met Ron Williams.*

I learned of him, as did thousands of others in the FBI and law enforcement, and citizens across the country, on a fateful day in June, 1975 when the media blasted out the horrible news of the loss of two agents in a nondescript corner of South Dakota.

Learning more about him came much later through conversations with close friends and relatives and later still in an incredible video released by the Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.**

There could have been a brief moment when Ron and I may have crossed paths. We overlapped slightly as new agents and could have passed each other in the hallways at the FBI Academy in Quantico, paced each other on the running trails or even sat at the same table in the cafeteria. I'll never know.

There is a strong possibility, since we both shared a love of flying, and if the event at Jumping Bull had some how miraculously not occurred, that we would have participated together in the FBI's then fledgling aviation program. Ron was a licensed pilot and enjoyed the thrill and challenge and of taking friends and family on flying adventures to share the experience he loved so much. Certainly Ron would have volunteered to become part of that program and we could have both flown on the same major cases ("Bureau Specials" as they are called) as the FBI quickly realized that aircraft surveillances were integral components to successful investigations.

Very close and dear friends of Ron, when they all worked together in the Rapid City Resident Agency (a satellite office covering a number of SD counties and reservations out of the Minneapolis Division), gave me a box of personal items and papers they had from Ron. In the box was a little wooden toy biplane, which I understood to have been Ron's from when he was a child. At the moment it's sitting on a shelf as this tribute is being typed.

I learned from another close friend that, although challenging, life and work on the Reservations was demanding, and the Bureau was always pressed to staff the larger cities with agents. It was likely that Ron's tenure in Rapid City could have ended with a voluntary transfer to his hometown, Glendale, California, in the Los Angeles basin. Certainly, getting back to LA would have been fairly easy and something he apparently desired, not just to return to family and friends, but for a much wider variety of federal crimes to pursue, along with greater opportunities. 

Ron, as was related as well, had plans to attend law school, which would have been a challenge while working cases in a major city, but certainly doable once he set his sights on that goal. Where he would have gone from there we’ll never know, but based on what we do know, perhaps continuing in the Bureau or maybe seeking a position in a major prosecutor's office or perhaps the United States Attorney's office. Or, if we are allowed to imagine further, combining his interests and talents and maybe specializing in aviation law while continuing his flying interests. We'll never know how far that would have taken him.

Ron certainly fit the personality profile of his birth sign, a Leo; ruling warmth, generosity, faithful and always showing a great deal of initiative, combined with a handsomely charming smile and engaging personality. All of which would have taken him to untold heights and achievements.

It's difficult to look beyond and speculate on what might have been, but we can see what was, and in his short twenty-eight years Ron did leave his mark on all who touched his life.

I never met Ron Williams, but I'm sure anyone who did would have been better for it.

"In the Spirit of Coler and Williams"

Ed Woods*SA Ronald A. Williams, July 30, 1947 - June 26, 1975: Rest In Peace: His memory, bravery and sacrifice in the-line-of-duty will never be forgotten. (A favorite blog posted originally on July 30, 2015)
**Meet SA Jack R. Coler and SA Ronald A. Williams here:
http://www.noparolepeltier.com/meet.html

p.s.

Things to consider and remember regarding the lying, murderous Leonard Peltier:

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2019/06/

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2019/03/why-is-peltier-worst_8.html

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2018/10/peltier-fatally-flawed-lie.html

http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2018/03/peltier-important-reminders.html

JUNE 26, 1975: TIMING WAS EVERYTHING

Dear supporters:

What follows is the beginning of an editorial essay written in 2000 and posted to the No Parole Peltier Association website relating to the timing of the unprovoked attack and brutal murder by Leonard Peltier of Special Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams. 

The details below are as valid today as they were on June 26, 1975:

Most people have heard the expression Timing is Everything. For the incident on June 26, 1975, timing WAS everything. Perhaps the most crucial and telling evidence of what happened that day at Pine Ridge comes from the words of Agent Williams himself. A number of employees in the FBI Resident Agency in Rapid City (RCRA) overheard the first radio transmissions of what the agents were facing that day. Although there has been much discussion and lengthy litigation about what exactly was said, considering that in moments of extreme stress perceptions and recollections may vary, nevertheless, one aspect of those radio transmissions is undisputed.

The book, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse reviews the timing of Agent Williams' radio calls to the RCRA and other agents but is presented for reasons other than defining the timing of those transmissions. Its purpose was to lay the groundwork for the supposed contradictions and confusion by the FBI over the (alleged and later determined to be fictitious) red pickup truck (Footnote #1). It does, however, clearly establish the initial sequence of events as Agents’ Coler and Williams followed a vehicle—which they believed contained fugitive Jimmy Eagle, onto the Jumping Bull property.

All those who overheard the transmissions are consistent over how rapidly the situation developed.

"...when a number of people monitoring the FBI channels heard an increasingly urgent series of transmissions." (ITSOCH p. 173-176)

As Waring (an FBI Agent) recalled Williams's words...There appears to be some Indians in the vehicle and they appear to have rifles. Then almost instantly, he said he had come under fire and immediately requested help from any units that were listening at the time. It was basically a continuous conversation by him on the radio. He continued by indicating that "they are on the ridge above us and firing on us." He was noticeably out of breath at that point and his voice had a little more excitement in it and he announced that, "I've been hit."

Agent Gary Adams responding from about fifteen miles away overheard Agent Williams, "There are several guys around this house...and it looks like they're going to take off. They're getting into that pickup. I hope you have a lot of gas (presumably radioed from Agent Williams to Agent Coler)." "It looks like those guys are going to shoot at us! Within two minutes, Adams heard gunfire on his radio. Then Williams yelled, "We have been hit."

FBI stenographer Linda Price in the RCRA overheard Agent Williams state, "We're following a red vehicle, you want to keep an eye out for it." There was a pause for approximately 30 seconds, when SA Williams transmitted, "I hope you have enough gas." The next transmission made by SA Williams were words to the effect, "We got a problem here." There was another pause for approximately 30 seconds, [then] "get up on the hill, we're being fired at."

Agent John McCarthy in the Rapid City office heard "something about chasing a red jeep," and FBI stenographer Ann M. Johnson heard Williams say, "There is something wrong here, we are being fired on," followed by the emergency exchange between Williams and Adams.

All of these transmissions were overheard within SEVERAL MINUTES before and after 12:00 noon and all reasonably within a TEN MINUTE period.

Given what the listeners overheard from Agent Williams and the responding agent (Adams), and presuming that their recollections may differ, one element is consistent, they all heard something during the same brief period of time.

The above transmissions establish, with reasonable certainty that within moments of driving onto the Jumping Bull property, they immediately recognized that they were in danger and began taking fire from the individuals in the vehicle they were following and from elsewhere in the compound. Within those minutes they had no time apparently to turn around and depart Jumping Bull, but attempted to defend themselves.

Clearly, based on the overheard conversations, the agents did not stop, exit their vehicles, and start shooting (as Peltier has repeatedly and fictitiously claimed). Their shooting was a result of trying to defend themselves from attack. They knew from the outset of driving onto the reservation that they were out-numbered and ill equipped for an armed confrontation with only their service revolvers with them inside the vehicles (more powerful weapons still in the trunk). They were miles away from any responding assistance and in an understandably hostile area with an AIM camp nearby. Suggestions by Peltier and his supporters that the agents entered Jumping Bull and started a shootout belies what actually happened...

* * *

Please see the remainder of the editorial essay, “Timing is Everything” (and the companion essay that follows it, “The Smoking Gun”) available from the NPPA homepage or http://www.noparolepeltier.com/timing.html

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

Footnote:

1) The lie of Mr. X and the red pickup truck: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/lie.html

PELTIER: JUNE 26, 1975; 43 YEARS LATER

Dear Supporters:

Forty-three years ago today, June 26, 1975, FBI Special Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams were performing their lawful duties on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation following who they believed was a fugitive. (Footnote 1)  What they encountered was an unprovoked attack by Leonard Peltier and other AIM members. One of the eyewitnesses to this attack, Ron Williams, was on the Bureau radio describing exactly what was about to happen. The Agents were caught in an open field and deadly crossfire. Severely wounded, both Agents were then summarily executed. 

Leonard Peltier escaped to Canada after a confrontation with Oregon State Troopers. On February 6, 1979, Peltier, then on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, was arrested by the RCMP and later extradited to stand trial in Fargo, North Dakota. Peltier was convicted and on June 2, 1977 was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. On July 20, 1979 Peltier participated in an armed escape from Lompoc federal prison during which guards were fired upon. He was arrested, convicted and received an additional seven consecutiveyears.  At an August 20, 2009 hearing, Peltier was denied parole and extended for an additional fifteen years until 2024. On January 18, 2017 President Obama denied Peltier’s clemency petition. (Fn. 2)

Over the years Peltier has maintained his innocence, claims to be a “political prisoner” and has made all manner of public statements that only reinforce his unrepentant and remorseless guilt. Peltier’s long standing and only real alibi, that the phantom Mr. X killed the Agents, was proven to be an unmitigated lie. (Fn. 3)

A simple solution to address Peltier’s claims is to thoroughly review the history of Peltier’s conviction and sentence: A conviction and sentence that has never been altered after numerous appeals, even reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. Offering just a few of those facts, please see some important reminders. (Fn 4)

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

Footnotes:

1) Honoring the Fallen:  http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2018/05/honoring-fallen.html

2) Clemency denied: http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2017/01/peltier-thank-you-president-obama.html

3) The lie of Mr. X: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/lie.html

4) Important reminders: http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2018/03/peltier-important-reminders.html

HONORING THE FALLEN

Dear Supporters:

Every year FBI field offices and FBI Headquarters hold a Memorial Service to honor those in the FBI who were killed in the line of duty as a result of adversarial action; those who died during the performance of law enforcement activities and the men and women in law enforcement agencies across the nation who died protecting the rights of residents and the safety of their communities.

The FBI Hall of Honor, displayed in every field office, includes a photograph and the details of those who died as a result of adversarial action. The exhibit begins with Edwin C. Shanahan (1925) and ends with Samuel S. Hicks (2008). The list, of course, includes Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams who were both brutally murdered on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on June 26, 1975.

Of those killed in the line of duty, the perpetrators were either killed during the commission of their crimes, convicted and executed, have long since died or remain imprisoned. Only one continues to be an issue today.

Recent additions to those who died in the performance of law enforcement duties included a number of FBI personnel who responded to the 9/11 crime scenes searching for remains and evidence, some for weeks or even months.  As a result, many of these first responders developed cancer directly related to their exposure to toxic environments. 

The FBI’s memorial service recognizes and honors all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to uphold the laws of this great nation.

Memorial Day 2018: We honor those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve America’s strength and freedoms.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods 

PELTIER: IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Dear Supporters:

There has been a slight delay in reporting on Peltier’s latest public statements; this is due in large part to several other NPPA projects that needed attention.

In the meantime it is important to remind Peltier supporters and detractors of just a few, but very crucial events, in the legal history of the Peltier saga:

“The trial witnesses unanimously testified that there was only one AR-15 in the compound prior to the murders, that this weapon was used exclusively by Peltier and carried out by Peltier after the murders.” (Emphasis added) (Footnote.1)

“Peltier’s arguments fail because their underlying premises are fatally flawed. (A) The government tried the case on alternative theories; it asserted that Peltier personally killed the agents at point blank range, but that if he had not done so, then he was equally guilty of the murder as an aider and abettor.”

“The Government’s statement at a prior oral argument, upon which Peltier relies, was not a concession.” “In any event, this eight-word comment in response to Judge Heaney‘s statements, is a totally inadequate basis for asserting that the government conceded that it had not proved that Peltier personally shot the agents at close range…” (Emphasis added) (Fn.2)

“The direct and circumstantial evidence of Peltier’s guilt was strong…” “…Peltier’s contention of manufactured evidence are far from convincing.”

[Direct Appeal; 8^th Circuit, 9/14/78]

“The record as a whole leaves no doubt that the jury accepted the government’s theory that Peltier had personally killed the two agents, after they were seriously wounded, by shooting them at point blank range with an AR-15 rifle.” [Rule 35 Motion, 8^th Circuit, 12/18/02]

"Previous federal court decisions provided the (parole) Commission with ample facts to support its conviction that Peltier personally shot Agents Coler and Williams." "Neither the conviction nor any subsequent court decisions have been overturned."

[10th Circuit Court of Appeals, 11/4/2003]

“I believe he got a fair trial, not a perfect trial, but a fair trial.” [8th Circuit Court Judge Gerald Heaney]. Fn.3

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

Footnotes:

1) Eighth Circuit decision: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/800.html

After the three-day ‘ballistics’ hearing: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/609.html

2) Fatally flawed: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/997.html

3) The Heaney factor: http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2017/10/peltier-heaney-factor.html