PELTIER SERVED AN EXTRA '289' MONTHS

Dear Supporters:

 

Peltier did not have to serve an additional '289' months, (24 years).

 

As Peltier finally leaves the U.S. prison in Coleman, Florida for North Dakota’s Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, there remains a question as to why and how he served an additional twenty-four years’ incarceration—after—President Clinton left office on January 20, 2001. 

 

Why didn’t President Clinton commute Peltier’s consecutive life sentences?

 

In the waning weeks of the Clinton presidency there was much activity and Peltier was a major news topic. 

 

Peltier supporters were elated, out in droves, demonstrating, campaigning and calling for his release, while those opposing made their voices known as well. 

 

FBI Director Louis Freeh wrote official letters and spoke publicly; the FBI Agents Association placed a large ad in a Washington newspaper; The Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI added their opposition as many current and retired Agents wrote letters opposing any consideration for a possible commutation.

 

Susan Lloyd, an Agent based in Washington D.C. assembled a team and organized what became—only the second time in FBI history, a rare public display of solidarity to voice their collective opinion to the President. It was no small task to arrange permits, logistics and spread the word that a supportive and public gathering was necessary. [1]    

 

On that crisp morning, December 15, 2000, upwards of five-hundred off-duty Agents began gathering at the Washington D.C. Law Enforcement Memorial. FBI Director Louis Freeh was there to show his unwavering support, understanding that he would be unable to accompany the Agents. There was a prayer vigil, and the names of FBI Agents killed in the Line-of-Duty were solemnly read.

 

By late morning, a silent and dignified two-by-two procession made its way to the Ellipse and White House. The morning chill offset by occasional sunshine. FBI Agents, including Agents from other agencies, reached the White House. Standing in silence, they displayed two large photographs of Agents’ Coler and Williams. At the head of the procession a prominent white banner read:

 

 “Never Forget,” “FBI Special Agents, Coler and Williams, Killed June 26, 1975.” 

 

Special Agent John Sennett, President of the FBI Agents Association, was permitted to enter the White House with large binders containing over ten thousand petitions and signatures asking President Clinton not to grant Peltier a pardon or commute his consecutive life sentences. Agent Sennett placed the binders on the President's desk in the oval office. Although the President was not there that day, he was certainly aware of the event and petitions as well as considerable news coverage, both filmed and in print. [2]

 

As expected from the Peltier camp, Peltier attorney Jennifer Harbury—quoted in the press, absurdly described that day as “Armed forces marching on the White House.”

 

A federal lawsuit followed from Peltier attorney Bernard Kleinman, claiming that government misinformation and disinformation prevented Peltier from receiving a fair hearing on his claims for both clemency and parole. The federal suit was eventually, along with another later federal civil suit, dismissed with prejudice. [3]

 

Peltier pinned his best hope at that point, after 25 years of incarceration, that he, his supporters and attorneys believed the end was at hand. President Clinton was his very best chance since there was nothing positive from four previous Presidents as Peltier’s many, often frivolous appeals, made their way through the courts. But it was not to be. 

 

* * *

 

During the early months of 2000, a prominent attorney, Stan Chesley, received antisemitic and threatening letters directed at him and his family. [4]  Mr. Chesley was well-known and influential in Democratic circles. The younger President looked to Mr. Chesley not only as a powerful supporter but as a mentor. When visiting the city, the President stayed at Mr. Chesley’s home. When Mr. Chesley visited the White House, he had stayed in the Lincoln bedroom. The bond between the two was strong on many levels. Mr. Chesley’s wife, a federal district court judge, was appointed by President Clinton. 

 

The threatening letters continued with no readily apparent leads until they were sent to the FBI Laboratory Identification Division for latent fingerprint analysis. In late September, the Lab came back with a hit on an individual who lived locally. Ultimately, affidavits were prepared for the subject’s arrest and a search of his residence. The subject was arrested, held without bond and the search secured additional evidence along with the typewriter used to write the threatening letters. He later pled guilty.

 

As a result of this investigation, I was well-known and liked by the Chesley family. 

 

December was fast approaching, as was the final days of the Clinton Presidency and a personal decision was contemplated; then made. 

 

I had a rewarding, productive and unblemished nearly thirty-year career and believed it was the right thing to do; to step outside the box and see whether this could work. I was willing to take the risk, regardless of the outcome. 

 

I contacted Mr. Chesley’s security manager and bodyguard, Tom, a retired local police Lieutenant who I had previously met, probably at a bank robbery. I asked if he could arrange just a fifteen-minute meeting with Mr. Chesley so I could provide him with details regarding Peltier’s conviction, appeals, many public statements and the facts related to the brutal murder of two, already wounded and defenseless, FBI Agents. 

 

The meeting was set for 11:00AM on December 7^th.

 

* * *

 

I was given a casual tour of the law firm and directed to wait in Mr. Chesley’s office. Looking around his corner office it appeared to be rather ornate, nothing fancy, but with many plaques, awards and photographs. There were stacks of papers and files on his desk and elsewhere. I was certain he knew what each pile represented and if he needed to look at a case would know exactly where to find it. There were also about a dozen scale model cars. I learned later he had quite a luxury car collection.

 

Mr. Chesley arrived about a half hour later.

 

He apologized for being late, not realizing I would have sat there for a week if necessary. 

 

The fifteen minutes turned into forty-five.

 

He appeared as distinguished as I had seen him in news coverage and newspapers, smartly attired with his notable pure white hair. In person, he was a dignified, warm and soft-spoken gentleman.

 

Mr. Chesley wasn’t familiar with the Peltier matter so I began with a recitation of what had happened, how the Agents were first taken under an unprovoked attack, severely wounded and defenseless; and then Peltier shot them both in the face. Adding too, that Agent Williams was still alive and had defensive wounds. I outlined the appeals and court decisions. The binder I brought remained closed. It contained crime scene photos but I chose not to show them. As expected, he stopped me several times for additional details and clarification as any experienced attorney would. I reviewed many of Peltier’s claims of innocence, public statements, and mentioned that he and his supporters considered him a political prisoner. 

 

Mr. Chesley nodded often in agreement with occasional age lines at the corner of his eyes. When I reached the critical purpose of my visit, knowing that Peltier was on the very short list for a pardon or commutation, without hesitation he said “I’ll tell him he can’t let this guy out.”  

 

The tension building throughout my entire body dissipated almost as quickly as his comment ended. What he was telling me, in very real terms, was that he would tell the President of the United States that he should not free Peltier. 

 

Mr. Chesley wrote down Peltier’s name, then added that he had just left a message for Bruce Lindsey but had not heard back yet. He continued that he would call Mr. Lindsey after our meeting and relay how he felt about the entire Peltier matter. [5]

 

With immense gratitude, I stood and gave Mr. Chesley a firm handshake.

 

Tom was there the whole time but never said anything. He did though offer an occasional nod of approval. As he walked me from the office, he casually mentioned that Mr. Chesley was going to the White House that weekend. 

 

* * *

 

The phone call.

 

Early the following week, I received a telephone call from Mr. Chesley as he was returning from Washington. It was a brief but exceptionally meaningful conversation. He said he spoke with the President and that Peltier would not be released. He commented that some White House staffers wore ‘Free Peltier’ buttons and he told them that it was inappropriate. The call ended with “Thank you very much sir, it is greatly appreciated.”

 

For the next twenty-four years, this encounter has been held in abeyance. The time has now arrived to tell the story as it happened and its ultimate effect on Peltier’s future. I still had to wait until January 20^th to appreciate that the potential of Peltier’s freedom ended thanks to that brief meeting. For all these years, and now, those in the FBI and law enforcement still owe Mr. Chesley an incredible debt of gratitude as he clearly recognized what was the right thing to do.

 

Peltier’s commutation challenges continued. He unquestionably recognized that the eight years of President Bush and four years of President Trump would not benefit him at all. President Obama could have released Peltier at any time during his eight years. Although there was concern about that possibility, ultimately President Obama denied Peltier’s application. President Obama certainly recognized Peltier’s unrepentant and murderous acts. 

 

This now totaled twenty (20) years of Peltier’s additional incarceration—beginning with that crucial connection with President Clinton.

 

But what of President Biden? Biden, who with absolute authority could have released Peltier on January 20, 2021, but for untold reasons chose not to. He instead preferred to let Peltier languish in prison for another four years. However, in a highly controversial move, Biden waited until the very last moment to commute Peltier’s sentence, attempting, as it appeared, to conceal this act from major public scrutiny and also by pardoning his own family and others. History will determine and assess Biden’s actions and administration, particularly the infamous laptop and the still to be fully vetted decades of an influence peddling scheme. 

 

But for an unexpected intervention, Peltier would have been released in January 2001.

 

Peltier made a fateful decision that June day in 1975, a decision that cost him his fifty (50) best years, years he will never recover. Justice may not have been entirely served, but 50 years is nothing to take lightly. 

 

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

Founder, No Parole Peltier Association, April 30, 2000 [6]

---

[1] Special Agent Susan Lloyd did a masterful job organizing the December 15, 2000 procession to the White House. She essentially brought the entire Peltier matter, and the brutal murder of FBI Agents’ Coler and Williams to the public’s nationwide attention. A few Agents were designated to be interviewed and engage with the press. The next day, the No Parole Peltier Association website received over 5,000 hits 

[2] Founded in 1981 in the FBI’s New York office, the FBI Agents Association is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that engages in support and advocacy for current and retired FBI Special Agents. 

[3] Kleinman’s suit named FBI Director Freeh, FBI Agents Ed Woods, John Sennett and others named and unnamed. A later 2017 federal civil suit filed in Washington State by Peltier attorney Lawrence Hildes, naming Ed Woods and Larry Langberg (RIP), then President of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, along with several Washington State officials. The suit claimed a violation of Peltier’s First Amendment rights. After many frivolous motions and appeals it was dismissed by the District Court with prejudice. 

[4] Stanley M. Chesley, the son of Jewish immigrants, grew up in modest means in the Cincinnati suburb of Avondale. He attended the University of Cincinnati for his bachelor’s and law degrees. Over a successful nearly fifty-year career he created a powerful law firm and won billions for victims in massive class action lawsuits. Mr. Chesley also engaged in many philanthropic endeavors and was personally active, and a fundraiser, for the Democratic Party. Regretfully, his career did not end well, facing personal lawsuits, legal actions and disbarment. Postscript: In December 2015, three gangbangers followed an older couple, Mr. Chesley and his wife, driving an expensive vehicle from a restaurant to their home in the suburb of Indian Hill. The subjects broke in, holding both at gun point, stealing what they could and demanding where other valuables were kept. At one point, Mr. Chesley, then 80, was pushed down a flight of stairs, suffering a concussion and serious injuries. The judge, in a nightgown and bare feet, was able to escape and ran through nearby woods to a neighbor’s house to call the police. The subjects fled, but in their haste, ran a stop sign and were pulled over by a local police officer. In their vehicle were items stolen from the Chesley home and a number of weapons. By April, the three pled guilty and were each sentenced to 34 years.

[5] I was not familiar with the reference, however, Bruce Lindsey served a critical role as assistant and Deputy Counsel to President Clinton during his entire two terms in office. 

[6] Peltier’s denied paroles: https://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#paroledenied, https://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2024/05/peltier-parole-hearing-june-10-2024.html

See epilogue: https://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2025/01/fbi-agent-jack-rcoler-1947-1975-rest-in.html, The ‘No Parole Peltier Association’ and its website’s mission was successful: Honoring the memory and sacrifice in the line-of-duty of FBI Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams; providing the public with the facts; challenging Peltier’s decades of falsehoods and engaging any efforts to ensure that parole was not an option. 

 

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.

WHY IS PELTIER THE WORST?

Dear Supporters:

In response to a question regarding why we consider Leonard Peltier the worst and most vile of those who killed FBI Agents in the Line of Duty, the following illustrates that Peltier was—and will forever remain, a remorseless cold-blooded murderer:

During the over 100-year history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation there have been 36 Special Agents killed in the line of duty.* These Agents are memorialized on the Wall of Honor as FBI Service Martyrs at FBI headquarters and in field offices throughout the country.

Although the total number is relatively small, this is in keeping with the Bureau’s mission versus the inordinate number of police officers shot and killed in the line of duty—eight in January 2019 alone.

Police officers, more often than not, are confronted with life and death, deadly-force split-second decisions. By contrast Bureau arrests are typically made after months or years of investigation and with the advantage of being able to plan and exercise the authority to arrest and minimize potential risk.

Of the number of Agents killed in the line of duty, several of which involved more than one assailant, nine of those were killed during the commission of their crimes, four committed suicide (one was fatally shot but committed suicide before he would have died), four were captured, sentenced and executed, six were captured, convicted, received life sentences and died in prison, and five are still incarcerated.  Also considered here are the five instances where two Agents were killed during the same confrontation and three who were killed on the same day in separate incidents.  

One of those incarcerated, ironically, is serving a life sentence in the same federal prison facility as Peltier, one remains on death row and one is scheduled for release in 2022. 

The names of the assailants involved are all but lost to history except for a couple of infamous killers from the gangland era—Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson. The 1930s was a dangerous time for all law enforcement. In the 1930s, during the days of G-Men, Tommy guns and running boards, nine Agents were killed in the line-of-duty. 

No one would remember, or even care to recall the names of the other assailants, except perhaps the families of the assailants themselves, but they are certainly remembered by the family and friends of the deceased Agents. 

What does this history have to do with Leonard Peltier?

Well, a lot actually.

Most significant, except for Peltier, is that none of those still incarcerated for their crimes have been heard from. 

There is one aspect of the Peltier matter that cannot be overlooked. If Peltier’s name was Joe Smith and his brutal slaying of Agents Coler and Williams happened, in let’s say, Pennsylvania, no one would care or remember his name. He would be just another of the nameless lifers.

But since this occurred on an Indian Reservation, provoked by Peltier and other cowards of the American Indian Movement, Peltier was successful in milking his notoriety for all it was worth, or all he could conjure up and fabricate about his alleged innocence while pitifully claiming to be a political prisoner. This logically gave way to the myth and folklore that followed. But for the fact that this occurred on Pine Ridge, Peltier’s name would have been relegated to the dustbin of criminal justice history.

Is it accurate to call Peltier and the other AIM members that day cowards?

The answer is simple. It cannot be forgotten that there was an eyewitness to the events that rapidly unfolded on the Jumping Bull property. Agent Williams was on the Bureau radio calling for assistance and describing what was happening. It was apparent that they were about to be fired upon by those in the vehicle they followed, and as the situation developed they were caught in a deadly crossfire and pinned down in an open field by rifle wielding AIM assailants.

Both Agents were wounded. Ron Williams waved his shirt as a sign of surrender, but this was ignored, and then he bravely gave aid to his critically wounded partner. Based on the defensive wound to his right hand, Agent Williams was still alive when Peltier shot him and Agent Coler at point blank range with his AR-15.

Both agents were shot in the face, yet when their bodies were discovered they were found facing the muddy ground. In Indian lore, touching and rolling over a vanquished enemy to face Mother Earth ensures they will not meet the Creator in the afterlife. Among those who were there, Peltier, Joe Stuntz, Robert Robideau, Dino Butler and likely others, know who, in a manner of speaking, disgustingly counted coup, adding to the carnage by manhandling the mutilated bodies. 

Years later in an unrelated matter, sworn testimony was given regarding Peltier’s admission and description of the Agents’ murders. Peltier was quoted,

“The m----------r was begging for his life but I shot him anyway.” (Fn. 1)

To any rational human being these are the actions of cowards.

Peltier offered, in his sixth-grade level reader, Prison Writings (p.14) his own published words that he viewed as an apology. Everyone is encouraged to read this “apology” which in reality is nothing more than self-centered aggrandizement that was viewed as a profound insult to both the Coler and Williams families. 

However, the issue of whether Peltier ever proffered an apology is settled.

In a June 26, 2017* motion filed in federal district court, Peltier (not pro se, but through his attorney) stated for the record “Although Peltier does not apologize for killing agents Coler and Williams as he maintains his innocence, he does express deep remorse to what happened to them and the pain that caused their families.”(Emphasis added) 

To show remorse Peltier would have to acknowledge that he regrets his actions. He has not. His actions would be what he would consider shameful, hurtful or violent. He has not. Remorse is also tied to feelings of guilt. He has shown none. Peltier could express remorse through an apology, but since it is a matter of record in federal court that he has not apologized while feigning innocence, Peltier remains, as always, remorseless.

On the matter of innocence:

Anyone who challenges that the following quotes were taken out of context is pedestrian in their thinking and lacks an understanding of the fundamental significance of Peltier’s public statements. The essential element here is one of proximity. 

None of the following direct public admissions from Peltier remove him from the murder scene, from the slaughter at Jumping Bull.

In the same 2017 federal court filing Peltier challenges the following quotes being attributed to him as creating a false picture of the actual facts and that conclusions based on Peltier’s public statements may still imply a false assertion of fact.

“I seen Joe when he pulled it out of the trunk and I looked at him when he put it on, and he gave me a smile”

In the court filing Peltier provided the source from where this quote was taken, Peter Matthiessen’s, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse (p. 552). Readers are invited to review that page for themselves. Within it they will find that the most crucial part is the above quote from Leonard Peltier to Peter Matthiessen about Joe Stuntz.

For the situationally challenged, it is not difficult to place this quote firmly within the context of the circumstances at that moment. Picture the scene:

On the Jumping Bull property there are two late model bullet-riddled government vehicles. Peltier, Joe Stuntz and others are gathered around stealing whatever they can. Stuntz grabs agent Jack Coler’s FBI jacket from the trunk, and as Peltier tells us, smiles as he puts it on. At that moment at their feet—lying face down in the mud—are two lifeless bodies. Two dead FBI agents with their faces blown away, who had been first wounded, rendered defenseless and then murdered at point-blank range. 

That was the context of Peltier’s, “I seen Joe” statement that hardly implies a false assertion of fact. 

In the 2017 federal court filing Peltier further claimed that the following quote was drastically edited from longer passages that provide context and create a false picture of the actual facts, and if those facts are either incorrect or incomplete, or if the assessment of them is erroneous, the statement may still imply a false assertion of fact.

“And really, if necessary, I’d do it all over again because it was the right thing to do.”

This quote was taken from Peltier’s February 6, 2010 public statement on the anniversary of his arrest in Canada. (Fn. 2)

Standing alone, this statement could be benign as Peltier laments and whines about his then thirty-four year incarceration.

Nevertheless, in order to understand the significance of this statement it is important to place it within its proper context. There can be no argument with the fact that one of the "whole series of events" Peltier describes is the Incident at Oglala, the June 26, 1975 cold-blooded murder of Agents’ Coler and Williams on the Jumping Bull property. By even mentioning Joe Stuntz Peltier clearly makes the relevance of his comments within the context of that day.

Peltier’s references to his commitment and because it was the right thing to do, can be neither ignored nor removed from the events he's talking about—those at Jumping Bull. And since he'd do it all over again, he's telling us that he understands what that commitment meant to his life and the last thirty-four years. 

Most significantly though, he is not excluding anything. Peltier is offering

no exceptions to his admission. It's all there.

Also, in the 2017 filing in U.S. District Court Peltier stated for the record, “Support for Leonard Peltier comes not only because of the work he has done for his people, but because his imprisonment comes as the result of the government not knowing who killed Agents Coler and Williams.” 

Peltier proffers, once again, the same frivolous assertion that the government had somehow conceded he wasn’t personally responsible for the Agents’ deaths.

The courts consistently concluded otherwise:

“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.” 

(8th Circuit Court of Appeals, July 7, 1993)

“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…” 

(8th Circuit Court of Appeals, July 7, 1993)

“The direct and circumstantial evidence of Peltier’s guilt was strong…” 

“…Peltier’s contention of manufactured evidence are far from convincing.”

(8^th Circuit Court of Appeals, 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.”

(8^thCircuit Court of Appeals, 12/18/02) (Emphasis added)

In the same court filing Peltier cherry-picks a negative quote from a federal court decision that had absolutely nothing to do with the underlying murder charges against him but was an appeal for relief from an adverse decision by the U.S. Parole Commission. (It should be noted that throughout the numerous appeals in the Peltier saga there was only one other negative comment, and that was relegated to the status of a footnote, and with a clarification. (Fn. 3)

Peltier quotes from a 11/4/03, 10^thCircuit Court of Appeals decision:

“Much of the government’s behavior at Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The Government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These Facts are not disputed.”

Actually, these “facts” were disputed and this gratuitous ad hominem statement by this court also included a thorough damning of Peltier’s actions and prior claims, however, Peltier, et. al. as they are habituated to, chose not to provide them, (Fn. 4):

Notably absent from Peltier’s court filing regarding the issue of “alternative theories” was; “Were that the case, the Commission, based on the evidence before it, could still reach the conclusion it did.”

"Previous federal court decisions provided the (Parole) Commission with ample facts to support its conviction that Peltier personally shot Agent Coler and Williams." 

 “And the Commission’s choice of the word ‘execution’ in describing the murders is quite apt. While Mr. Peltier asserts ‘[t]he Commission identified no plausible evidence that [he] shot the agents after they were incapacitated,’ this statement is simply not true. The evidence linking Mr. Peltier to these crimes is enumerated above. The most damning evidence, the .223 shell casing found in Agent Coler's trunk, may be more equivocal after the surfacing of the October 2nd teletype, but it has not been 'ruled out,' as Mr. Peltier contends. There is no direct evidence that Mr. Peltier shot the agents because no one testified they saw him pull the trigger. But as we stated above, and restate here, the body of circumstantial evidence underlying the Commission's decision is sufficient for the purpose of rational basis review." 

“After the evidentiary hearing on Mr. Peltier's first habeas petition, the district court in North Dakota held that the October 2nd teletype did not cast doubt on the connection between the .223 casing found in Agent Coler's trunk and the AR-15 linked to Mr. Peltier. On appeal, the Eighth Circuit asserted the casing ‘had in fact been extracted from the . . . AR-15’ [linked to Mr. Peltier]."

(Emphasis added)

* * *

Peltier has never been confused by the truth, but we will not ignore the obvious. If Peltier were truly innocent he could easily repeat the events as he experienced them. Instead, he fabricated his years-long only alibi that someone they knew, the infamous Mr. X in the red pickup killed the agents. Remember too, in Redford’s film, Incident at Oglala, Peltier said, “This story is true.” Well, it wasn’t. (Fn. 5)

Peltier, the self proclaimed public figure who arguably created a successful campaign of myth and folklore, would not come under scrutiny and have his public statements challenged if he for once admitted the truth. As a “public figure” Peltier forfeits many of the protections afforded private citizens in matters of defamation. Lies are still lies no matter how they are gift-wrapped. (Fn. 6)

Peltier, for as much as he professes, is not the realistic symbol of the historical ill treatment of First Americans. Peltier is the antithesis of the brave warriors of the past.

Further, it matters a great deal that Peltier has shamelessly denigrated the memory of Agents Coler and Williams by claiming that they were deliberately sacrificed (Prison Writings, p. 129):

“As documents released twenty years later, in 1995, through the Freedom of Information Act, confirmed, a virtual army—lawmen, GOONS, SWAT teams, vigilantes, BIA police, you name it—had been gathering in the area for a planned paramilitary assault on the Pine Ridge Reservation. And now the day had finally come. This raid had obviously been preplanned. Maybe they figured they could come in and finish us off after the two agents had drawn our fire, giving them the excuse they needed.” (A totally fabricated lie; Fn. 7)

Of all those Agents killed in the line of duty, the most vile and depraved act was the wounding and calculated murder of Special Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams on June 26, 1975 by Leonard Peltier on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Peltier’s vicious acts—validated through numerous appeals, confirms that he remains a remorseless cold-blooded murderer. (Fn. 8).  

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

*Update October 2021: This blog was initially written in March 2019 and since that time the FBI has added names to the Wall of Honor of Agents who were not only killed during an adversarial action, but those who died by other causes during the course of their official duties.

Footnotes:  

1) Press Release, United States Attorney, District of North Dakota: “…In 2004 Arlo Looking Cloud was tried in South Dakota for the late 1975 AIM related murder of Anna Mae Aquash. Witness Darlene Nichols testified that, in October or November of 1975, she was travelling in a motor home with Leonard Peltier, her husband, AIM leader Dennis Banks, Anna Mae Aquash, and others. On one occasion when they were in the State of Washington, Peltier admitted his involvement in the killings of the agents. Darlene Nichols testified that Leonard Peltier, “…started talking about June 26, and he put his hand like this and started talking about the two FBI agents…he said the m----------r was begging for his life, but I shot him anyway.”

(AIM member Anna Mae Aquash, who had been threatened at gunpoint by Peltier suspecting that she was an FBI informant—she was not—but nonetheless on orders of AIM leadership she was kidnapped, raped, murdered and dumped in a ravine.)

1a)Looking Cloud Trial Transcript at 144-145; In reference to a statement made to the witness by Leonard Peltier: Prosecutor: “Exactly what did he say?” Witness: “He said the M----- F----- was begging for his life, but I shot him anyway.”

2) Peltier statement 2/6/2010: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/confession.pdf

Editorial essay re 2/6/2010 statement: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#confession

3) Negative court comments, see section #20:

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

4) U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 11/4/03:

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

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

6) Peltier the public figure: http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2016/03/peltier-public-figure-proof.html

7) The fabrications of a Preplanned paramilitary assault: The Sanctioned Memo:

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

Further, “The Smoking gun and 23 reasons why it can’t be true:” http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#smoking

 8) Peltier conflates advocacy (keeping the torch lit and honoring the memory of Agents Coler and Williams) with defamation. We will, however, let the facts detailed above speak for themselves and allow reasonable people to make their own judgments.  

* Ironically, the “Plaintiff’s Response to Defendant Landberg (sic) and Woods’ 12(b)(6) and Anti-Slapp Motion” submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington was filed on the 42^ndanniversary of the murder of Jack Coler and Ron Williams.

PELTIER: FLORIDA & MONEY TRAIN

Dear Supporters:

A November 11^th communiqué from Peltier/ILPDC revealed some interesting details and potential conflicts as they have established their new “National Office here in Tampa, FL.”

Apparently, the November 6^th Tulsa concert didn’t meet expectations. According to the ILPDC they “didn’t raise as much money as we had hoped.”  (Yet, did anyone catch the November 10^th ILPDC press release entitled, “The Concert was a Wonderful Success.” Mixed messaging is a Peltier staple.)

The NPPA has been informed that the concert was poorly attended and probably lost money. There were approximately 1900 seats available and less than half were filled. There was very little fundraising activity at the venue. Aside from the poor timing of the event (months from now no one will even remember) it is just another indication that Peltier’s notoriety continues to slip away.

The concert begs the question; just how much did they raise?  Though the amount raised was not disclosed; where it allegedly went was. According to the ILPDC “The money raised went directly into Leonard Legal Trust account.” (Which is odd that it isn’t the Leonard Peltier account. But perhaps that was just a typo or oversight.) However, this bears the markings of an oxymoron; it is remarkable that a convicted felon/inmate is having money from various sources funneled into a “legal trust.”

Solicitations for donations of checks, money orders, PayPal and purchasing Peltier’s artwork continues in earnest, which raises again some curious questions.

It certainly sounds like there’s a business being run, at Peltier’s direction and on his behalf, from the ILPDC National Office at 116 W. Osborne Ave., Tampa, FL 33603

Nevertheless, the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act (FSCA) regulates solicitation of public contributions and requires full disclosure of certain information from persons soliciting contributions in Florida.

The FSCA requires anyone who solicits donations from people in the State of Florida to register with the department and renew annually. The department collects registration fees and has authority to impose penalties for non-compliance.

Are Leonard Peltier and his International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee complying with Florida laws as they fund the Leonard Legal Trust account?

The City of Tampa has certain business operating requirements and states that it is unlawful for any person to engage in a regulated business without a current business-operating permit. And, in fact, each day of operation without a permit constitutes a separate offense. The city goes on to require that any person who shall commence operation of a regulated business before obtaining a business operating permit shall pay double the application fee prescribed for that business. The payment of the double fee shall not preclude, nor be deemed a substitute for prosecution, as provided for elsewhere in the city code.

Peltier’s ILPDC is located in a single-family residence in Tampa. There are likely zoning requirements regarding potentially operating a business from a single-family residence.

            Are Leonard Peltier and his International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee conforming to the City of Tampa (and Hillsboro County) business and zoning regulations? That remains to be seen.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

P.S.

1) In November Peltier sent yet another rambling message filled with characteristically disjoined claptrap and rhetoric.  For the benefit of diehard Peltierites who are unable or incapable of seeing through the fog of Peltier myth, folklore and fabrications and to help connect the—dots—regarding the hypocrisy of the money train, he publicly provides us with this little gem:

“The air, the water, the soil, all of nature is screaming against the injustice that is continually perpetrated by those who worship money…and Peltier continues with…If you have any questions about donations for my new legal team please call our new office in Tampa, FL.” (Leonard Peltier, November 23, 2017)

From Peltier’s lips to God’s ears.

Actually, from a convicted double-murderer’s lips to the Creator’s ears.

A time will be here, one day, when Peltier will face the Creator and mumble his truth about what actually happened at Jumping Bull, and Jack and Ron will be watching.

2) Curiously, on 11/20/17 a Florida corporate filing was rejected. The reason is not clear but the filing was for the International Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee. Oddly though that the Peltier website clearly lists it as the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. Offensive as much of the material on the Peltier website may be, is this just another example of the mixed messaging from the Peltier camp?

PELTIER: "THE MURDER OF COLER AND WILLIAMS"

Dear Supporters 

Thanks to the talent and creativity of retired FBI Special Agent Fernando Candelario, please visit the link below for a song written and dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of Jack Coler and Ron Williams.

Fernando’s interest in music and playing the guitar began at age thirteen as a U.S. Army dependant in Panama. Fernando started his thirty-year FBI career in 1972 as a support employee and became a Special Agent in May 1978. He was promoted to a Supervisory position and finished his productive career and an Assistant Special Agent in Charge of a field office.  During his career, Fernando served in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miami, Florida, FBI Headquarters, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Embassy in Panama and Dallas, Texas.

Fernando’s heartfelt dedication for Jack and Ron can be heard, along with many other original songs, at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIPnGLC4v6A

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

(P.S. If the link doesn’t connect to the video, either cut and paste into a browser or go to Youtube.com and search for the Murder of Coler and Williams)

SA RONALD A. WILLIAMS: JULY 30, 1947 - JUNE 26, 1975, R.I.P. & MORE

Dear Supporters:

Within just a few short weeks the popular and professional young Agent would have reached his 28th birthday. In the meantime, he and his partner, Jack Coler, were carrying out their lawful duties searching for a fugitive on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

In separate vehicles they followed who they believed to be Jimmy Eagle onto a dirt road off Highway 18. The occupants of that vehicle, and those in a nearby American Indian Movement (AIM) camp along White Clay Creek, instigated an unprovoked attack. We know this with absolute certainty because the eyewitness, Special Agent Ron Williams, was on the radio describing exactly what was about to happen. And it did. AIM cowards led by Leonard Peltier, attacked, severely wounded and then brutally murdered both Agents. Peltier, of course, was later convicted of first-degree murder and aiding and abetting and is still serving two consecutive life sentences.  

As, many believe, I feel certain Ron is looking down and watching over us and knows that on January 18, 2017 President Obama denied Peltier’s clemency petition. This was a clear recognition that the pardon attorney, the Attorney General and the President concurred with Peltier’s conviction and many appeals that had established his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  Peltier, over the past years has reinforced that guilt to beyond all doubt. (Thank you President Obama*)

Parole is off the table until 2024.**

Until January 20, 2021 clemency is also off the table, or four years hence if President Trump is reelected. Either way, the clock is ticking.

Peltier has repeatedly denigrated the memory and sacrifice of Jack and Ron with falsehoods, fabricated scenarios and public admissions of guilt.

On this day, and every day, Ron is in our thoughts and prayers and neither he nor Jack will ever be forgotten.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

P.S. The Federal Civil suit filed by Peltier, and Peltier deception:

1) On July 25, 2017, the federal civil suit brought against Ed Woods and Larry Langberg was dismissed, with prejudice, and includes payment of attorney’s fees and court costs. Although integral to the Washington State’s Anti-Slapp statute, the Judge provided his reasoning for not also including the $10,000 fines.

Within the entire Peltier saga there are only several significant dates:

June 26, 1975 (Peltier murdered Jack Coler and Ron Williams); June 2, 1977 (Peltier sentenced to two consecutive life sentences); January 18, 2017 (President Obama denies Peltier’s clemency petition), and July 25, 2017 (Peltier loses his battle to silence those who exercise their right to free speech by presenting the truth behind the Peltier myth.)

As of July 30th no mention of the federal civil suit or the dismissal could be found on Peltier’s updated whoisleonardpeltier.info website.

2) Peltier deception:

Peltier’s website has been refreshed, and frankly is well presented, however, still contains the same tired old misinformation and fabrications as previous ones. There is an interesting piece of deception though. In the section of Resources and under Upcoming Events it lists the June 26^th Oglala Commemoration, an annual event. It displays a quite impressive photo of hundreds, perhaps thousands of apparent supporters. The red banner is partially and deliberately obscured certainly giving the impression that this very large gathering is in support of Peltier. It’s deceiving and it isn’t. The photo is actually from recent demonstrations regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline. Wonder if Peltier obtained approval to use this photo on his website and whether there is any copyright infringement. A review of perhaps a thousand photos on the Internet of the Dakota demonstrations could not identify one Peltier sign. This is just another example of Peltier spin and disinformation. What Peltier should have done was to properly source the origin of the photo…but that would have been too honest. https://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/home/events/

* http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2017/01/peltier-thank-you-president-obama.html

** http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#paroledenied